I have an obsession with networking speeds that borders on becoming an unhealthy obsession. Getting a fiber Internet connection at home didn’t help. With a 2 Gbps connection at my desk, everything else feels slow. I didn’t have a choice of where the Ethernet outlets were placed in the condo we bought last fall. Nor...
App Debuts
Essayist If you’re a student, Essayist is an excellent focused writing environment that includes the kinds of reference citations that you’ll need. The latest ‘Back to School’ update adds over 25 new reference types, new backgrounds for the app’s writing environment, and chapter and table of contents support for the Chicago/Turabian citation style. ReminderCal I’ve...
Spotlight on Club MacStories
Goodnotes, Travel Trackers, Cookie Notice Blockers, and VNC Solutions Here are the highlights from the Club MacStories Discord this week: Members who have tried the latest update of Goodnotes, which incorporates AI features, got a thumbs up this week. Federico was given some good suggestions for apps that track places you’ve visited but don’t violate...
Interesting Links
Wired has the story of a group of teenagers who were inspired by the story of a group that hacked the Boston subway system more than a decade ago to see if they could do the same. (Link) Apple got a win from the US Supreme Court, which ruled that it did not need...
Automating Tailscale with Shortcuts
I’ve been experimenting with Tailscale, an open-source service that offers a hybrid VNC/private VPN service. Tailscale is free to use with up to 100 devices for individuals. The service works with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which get their own Tailscale IP address and an easy-to-remember MagicDNS name based on the device’s name. Once set up,...
Nothing is Something
On the latest MacStories Unwind, Federico mentioned the importance of doing nothing. His comment was in the context of taking time off to recharge, which is important, but as I commented at the time, there are other aspects of doing nothing that I thought I’d expand on today. Federico’s right. Taking time off when you...
Game On: Papers, Please Milestones, Netflix Eyes TV Gaming, Vampire Survivors and Rolando News, Plus an RPG for the Weekend
Lucas Pope’s critically acclaimed dystopian puzzle game Papers, Please celebrated a big milestone this week. As reported by Engadget, the game just passed its 10th anniversary and has sold 5 million copies, which is huge for an indie title. Of course, the game is on every platform imaginable these days, but if you still haven’t checked it out after all of these years, you can pick up Papers, Please for just $1.99 on the App Store for a limited time.
Netflix released an iOS app called Netflix Game Controller this week with a UI that consists of standard onscreen versions of game controller buttons and a message that the app can be connected with games on your TV. As TechCrunch’s article on the app points out, though, there are no Netflix games that connect to it yet. An in-app message notes that Netflix Games on TV are currently in beta, and the app’s description simply says the games are coming soon. Netflix declined to comment about the app to TechCrunch.
Next week, Vampire Survivors will introduce a co-op mode on all platforms, including iOS. The highly addictive 8-bit style monster shooter that beat Elden Ring, Cult of the Lamb, and God of War: Ragnarök for a BAFTA game of the year award has an extensive FAQ covering how co-op mode will work if you’re interested in learning more.
Also on the horizon, according to TouchArcade, is a Steam version of Rolando that will be compatible with the Steam Deck. Rolando was a sensation on the early iOS App Store, disappeared with the transition to 64-bit apps, but triumphantly returned in 2019 as Rolando: Royale Edition. If you’re interested in videogame history and preservation, Andrew Hayward has a fantastic article on Polygon about Rolando’s 2019 comeback.
Finally, I want to leave you with a game recommendation for the weekend: Stone Story RPG. This isn’t a new game, but it was new to me, and I was so impressed with its all-ASCII artwork that I wanted to pass it along.
The game, which is available on iPhone, iPad, and other platforms, is a classic RPG with incredible art throughout, as well as an excellent soundtrack. An AI handles most of the action, leaving you to strategize your next move and craft items to help you on your quest. If you’re looking for something a little different to play on your iPhone this weekend, Stone Story RPG is a great option.
Game On is a periodic roundup highlighting the biggest news in gaming on Apple’s platforms. From the iPhone and iPad to the Mac and Vision Pro, we’ll cover the big-name games on Apple devices, along with notable industry and developer news.
MacStories Unwind: The Beanie Baby Craze
This week on MacStories Unwind, we chat about Universal Control, update listeners on the status of our OS reviews, and I recommend The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+.
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Universal Control
- macOS 12.3: The Magic of Universal Control and More
- Club MacStories Sample: Federico Achieves His Universal Control Dream and John Reflects on Indie Life
John’s Pick:
- The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+
MacStories Unwind+
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AppStories, Episode 346 – Why The Way Apps Are Made Has Changed→
This week on AppStories, we look at how making apps has changed along with the evolution of Apple’s hardware lineup and what that means for the future of apps on those platforms.
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- Concepts - Sketch, Note, Draw.
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On AppStories+, all’s well that ends well. Federico reports on how he managed to connect a no-name brand Bluetooth lightstrip to HomeKit.
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