We recently hit a milestone in the world of digital security: 200 companies are now using passkeys instead of traditional password systems. It’s progress, sure, but to me, it’s not exactly fireworks-worthy. Frankly, it feels like we should be much further along. I’ve heard from many…
Continue reading →Mac Power Users 72: 2024 State of the Platforms (Part 1)
Stephen and I are starting our annual tour through Apple’s products on this episode of Mac Power Users. We’re talking about hardware and software, and our feelings about both. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. NetSuite: The…
Listen & read notes →Another Siri?
Mark Gurman’s got another AI/Siri report and it’s a doozy. According to the latest rumors, Apple is cooking up an LLM-powered Siri for iOS 19 and macOS 16. The idea is that this would be yet another Siri reboot, but this time built on…
Continue reading →The Lab Report for November 22, 2024
In this week’s episode of The Lab Report: Should there be an Apple television set? More on the iOS .2 beta software features, rumor of a refreshed Pro Display XDR, and Sparky has a recommendation to up your Shortcuts game.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members. Care to join? Or perhaps you need to sign in?
Apple’s Image Playground: Safety at the Cost of Utility?
As I’ve spent considerable time with Apple’s Image Playground in the recent iOS 18.2 beta, I’m left with more questions than answers about Apple’s approach to AI image generation. The most striking aspect is how deliberately unrealistic the output appears — every image unmistakably reads as…
Continue reading →Focused 217: The Anxious Generation
Join Mike and me on this episode of Focused as we consider the hidden costs of prioritizing the virtual world over the real world and discuss ways that we can fight for focus in an age of distraction. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc:…
Listen & read notes →Those Terrible Passwords Aren’t Getting Any Better
NordVPN recently released its annual list of commonly used passwords, and (surprise, surprise!) not much has changed. What’s truly baffling is how many folks still rely on this digital equivalent of leaving their front door wide open. The most common password is “123456” but fear…
Continue reading →The New CleanMyMac
I’ve done some project planning scripts in the past but folks have been asking about doing it with Reminders. Here you go!… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. Care to join? Or perhaps do you need to sign in?
Beyond HomeKit: Will Apple Make a Smart Home Camera?
According to reports, Apple is developing a smart home camera slated for 2026. Such a device would be a natural extension of Apple’s commitment to privacy and artificial intelligence, potentially offering the seamless user experience we’ve come to expect from Cupertino. If given proper support, an…
Continue reading →Mac Power Users 771: Beauty and Friction
On this Mac Power Users feedback episode, Stephen and I talk about the M4 family of Macs, our RSS setups, and recent updates to some of our favorite apps. Then, we discuss some listener feedback and our home networks. This episode of Mac Power Users is…
Listen & read notes →