FedericoI have no idea how actually useful this accessory that promises to turn the Apple Watch into an iPod will be (my understanding is that you’ll either have to disable passcode authentication on the Watch or enter your passcode every few minutes?), but, let’s be honest, did anyone think I could resist the temptation...
In This Issue
John shares three Mac menu bar apps that he likes and Jonathan canvases the entire lineup of (Not Boring) apps, plus the usual Links, App Debuts, the latest happenings in the Club MacStories+ Discord community, a recap of MacStories articles, and a preview of next week’s episodes of AppStories and Magic Rays of Light....
No MacStories Weekly Next Week
As we mentioned in last week’s issue, we won’t be publishing Weekly on July 26th. I’ll be traveling, so we figured it would be a good time for everyone to take a break and recharge. We’ll be back with the Monthly Log at the end of the month and a new issue of Weekly on...
The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
This week on Magic Rays of Light, Devon is joined by guest co-host Jonathan Reed to discuss Jonathan’s first impressions of Apple Vision Pro, new Apple Original documentary series Omnivore, 72 Emmy Awards nominations for Apple Originals, and Devon’s experience seeing Fly Me to the Moon in theaters.
This week, Chris can finally talk about iPadOS 18, Niléane goes on a quest for great dynamic wallpapers, and Matt brought a tea kettle for some reason. Then they all say nice things about new browsers and Chris has a “visionary” new challenge.
This week, John decides to take the iPad-only travel plunge, and Federico advises on which gaming handhelds to bring on a trip.
Apple Announces New Immersive Video Content for the Vision Pro
Beginning today, Apple says it will begin releasing a series of films, documentaries, music, sports, travel, and other video content for the Vision Pro.
First up is ‘Hot Air Balloons,’ which will be available beginning at 6 PM Pacific today, and is part of a series dubbed Boundless. That will be followed in August by a new installment of Wild Life, and a new travel series called Elevated in September. Later this year, Apple will release an immersive concert experience with The Weeknd, a scripted short film called Submerged by director Edward Berger, a behind-the-scenes and court-side look at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, and Big-Wave Surfing, part of a new sports series with Red Bull.
According to Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications:
Apple Immersive Video is a groundbreaking leap forward for storytelling, offering Apple Vision Pro users remarkable experiences with an unparalleled sense of realism and immersion. From soaring over volcanoes in Hawaii and surfing huge waves in Tahiti, to enjoying performances by the world’s biggest artists and athletes from all-new perspectives, Apple Immersive Video revolutionizes the way people experience places, stories, sports, and more by making viewers feel like they’re truly there. It’s the next generation of visual storytelling, and we’re excited to bring it to more people around the world.
I’m really looking forward to these new immersive videos. There’s been a real dearth of content produced for the Vision Pro since its release, but with the device available in more countries, it’s great to see new content available for the growing audience.
Chris Lawley’s In-Depth Interview About Smart Script and Math Notes→
Smart Script and Math Notes are two of the most notable features coming to iPadOS this fall. Both take advantage of the Apple Pencil and the iPad’s computer power to do a lot of complex work under the hood, which makes taking good-looking notes and working with numbers and equations feel natural.
Chris Lawley, co-host of Comfort Zone, sat down for an exclusive interview with Jenny Chen, an Apple engineering manager for input experiences, and Ty Jordan, an Apple system experiences product manager, to talk about both features in-depth for his YouTube channel. It’s an excellent interview full of little details you may have missed from the WWDC keynote:
When the new iPad Pros were released, I debated whether to buy an Apple Pencil Pro. I’ve never been a heavy user of the Apple Pencil, but I’m glad I bought one in the end. With features like Smart Script and Math Notes added to Quick Notes and the other Pencil features, my use has slowly crept up to the point where I’m now looking to find places where I can do even more with it.
The Latest from AppStories and NPC: Next Portable Console
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
This week, Federico and John run down the highlights of the iOS and iPadOS 18 public betas that were released today.
On AppStories+, Federico and John compare earbud notes, covering recent models from Sennheiser, Technics, and Beats.
This episode is sponsored by:
- CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 15% off today with code APPSTORIES15.
- Setapp – the place to get apps. Use the code appstories20 at checkout for 20% off.
It was a busy news week in the world of portable gaming hardware, plus Federico’s quest for cable perfection continues, a return of the Steam Deck, and a look at mobile phone gaming, controllers, and more.
Federico’s Updated Setup Is Designed for Modular Simplicity→
Federico has been on quite a journey with his gear setup over the past few months. If you’ve been following along on NPC: Next Portable Console, MacStories Unwind, and AppStories, you know that he’s been assembling a modular system that lets him switch effortlessly from work to play. He’s working on a story that pulls the threads of his experience together for readers, but in the meantime, Federico has updated our dedicated Setups page with what’s changed.
If you start with Federico’s latest entry in our Setups changelog, you’ll notice right away that the updates he’s made to his setup are all about simplifying his tech life. But, while many things have been taken away, several have been strategically added too. Let’s take a look.
The additions to Federico’ desk include:
- 13” M4 iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular with nano-texture glass)
- Gigabyte M27U monitor for his iPad Pro and gaming
Like me, Federico has also been experimenting with video and has added the Elgato FaceCam Pro and Elgato Key Light with Mini Mount to his setup.
As for gaming, Federico is still using the Lenovo Legion Go, but he upgraded to a new Steam Deck OLED with an etched glass display and added a bunch of Legion Go accessories, along with a custom-built eGPU:
- Custom-built eGPU with NVIDIA 4090 Founders Edition (more details on NPC)
- ROG Loki SFX-L 1000W PSU
- ADT-Link UT3G USB4 board
- 4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 Dummy Plug and USB-C to HDMI Adapter Cable for Moonlight streaming
- King Kable 10m USB4 fiber optic cable
- Legion Go Accessories
- Comfort grips
- Controller Connector
- Mechanism Universal 7-in-1 mounting system
On the home automation front, Federico has added Aqara E1 cameras and an Aqara Camera Hub G3 to his setup along with a variety of Philips Hue lights, a smart plug, and more.
For the complete list of gear in Federico’s setup, along with mine, be sure to check out our dedicated Setups page.
New Projects, New Setup
The past few months have been busy at MacStories. The release of new iPads was followed by our launch of new podcasts and then WWDC. Along the way, my gear setup has changed a little, too.
Portable Setup Changes
11” iPad Pro and Accessories
Leading up to Apple’s spring event and knowing that it would feature new iPads, I was on the fence about buying one. The Pencil Pro and the Tandem OLED display tipped the balance, though, and I ended up getting the 11” Wi-Fi-only model with a Magic Keyboard Case, a Smart Folio cover, and Apple Pencil Pro.
I was tempted by the nano-texture display but ultimately passed on it as well as cellular connectivity. I expect there’s a nano-texture device of some sort in my future, but even without it, the iPad Pro’s Tandem OLED display works better in sunlight than previous displays. I don’t use an Apple Pencil often, but with the new Pro model, I plan to play around with it more to see if I can find a place for it in my day-to-day computing. The lack of meaningful iPadOS 18 updates coming this fall is a letdown, but I’m still pleased with my purchase because the smaller form factor and fantastic display have led me to use my iPad Pro more.
Desk Setup Changes
With the change in iPad sizes, the articulating arm I used for the 12.9” iPad Pro no longer worked for me. Instead, I’ve transitioned to another Balolo accessory, the Tablet Holder. It sits neatly in the center of my Desk Cockpit shelf, where I can set my iPad for use with Sidecar or Universal Control. If you’re a Club member and interested in Balolo’s Desk Cockpit setup, which I covered in detail this past February, there’s a coupon code for 10% off on the Club Discounts page.
I have been experimenting more with video in recent weeks, too. That led to the addition of an Elgato Facecam Pro and Key Light to my desk, along with an Elgato Mini Mount stand for the camera.