MacStories Team

3292 posts on MacStories since July 2011

Articles by the MacStories team. Founded by Federico Viticci in April 2009, MacStories attracts millions of readers every month thanks to in-depth, personal, and informed coverage that offers a balanced mix of Apple news, app reviews, and opinion.

Home Screen: Dimitry Jacobs

Twitter: @DimitryJacobs. Business analyst and bullet journaler. When I set up my home screen, my most important apps must have a center place. My system has four rows and three icons in the dock, and I tried to keep one column orange; it’s a color deeply rooted in my country, the Netherlands. I have tried...


In This Issue

GIPHY,apps to up your Instagram game, a tip on running commands in a new Terminal window with AppleScript, a time zoneconversion workflow, Dimitry Jacobs’ home screen, plus the usualWeekly Q&A, Links, App Debuts, a recap of MacStories articles, and a preview of next week’s episode of AppStories....


In This Issue

This month, Ryan looks back on the evolution of Apple’s approach to TV, Stephen wants more from CarPlay, and John goes down a Ulysses theming rabbit hole....


Banktivity: Achieve Your Financial Goals for 2019 [Sponsor]

Managing your finances doesn’t have to be difficult. With Banktivity, you can track expenses, know when to pay upcoming bills, gain valuable insights into the performance of your investments, and a whole lot more. Best of all, everything you need for financial peace-of-mind is available on your Mac and iOS devices.

Banktivity empowers its users to manage all of their financial accounts in one place, includes real-time budgeting, and syncs with the free iPhone version of the app, so your finances are always right at your fingertips. With version 7 of the Mac app, Banktivity’s functionality adds all-new ways to track and analyze your finances.

Banktivity for the Mac has added a stunning new dark mode that looks great alongside other macOS Mojave apps. IGG Software, the makers of Banktivity, painstakingly examined and redesigned every corner of the app to take full advantage of dark mode.

The app also has a new ‘Calendar View’ that ensures you’ll never miss a bill again by letting you see past and upcoming bills and transactions. You can even customize which accounts are displayed and track their running balance over time.

Direct Access, which can be purchased separately, is faster than ever. Now, you can connect to over 14,000 banks and import your financial transactions quickly and seamlessly whether you’re on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

There’s an all-new real estate account type too, so you can track property you own and link it to related loans and mortgages. If you’re in the US, you can automatically follow your property’s estimated value with Zillow, and there’s a new view with details like your home’s available equity.

Say goodbye to financial stress and hello to Banktivity. Visit IGG Software’s website to learn more about Banktivity today. There’s a free 30-day trial available, so there’s nothing to lose. And when you’re ready to purchase, use the discount code MACSTORIES10 at checkout for 10% off.

Our thanks to Banktivity for sponsoring MacStories this week.



In This Issue

Halide, Favorite Mac Games (Vol. 1), a worldwide time zone shortcut and answers to member workflow requests, Mac FinderTips,plus the usualWeekly Q&A, Links, App Debuts, arecap of MacStories articles, and a preview of next week’s episode of AppStories....


Previously, On MacStories

Apple Publishes Videos Showcasing iPad Pro Workflows Concepts for iPad: An Adaptable Infinite Canvas to Suit Anyone’s Needs Pixelmator Pro Updated with New Layers Features Apple Announces ‘Shot on iPhone’ Photography Challenge Microsoft Office Debuts on the Mac App Store...


Interesting Links

Musish is an impressive web implementation of Apple Music that looks and feels almost exactly like Apple’s native implementations. (Link) Ars Technica takes a look back at the many online community innovations that began at LiveJournal and what eventually led to the site’s undoing. (Link) A new law in Australia that allows authorities to compel...


Permute: Quick Image, Audio, and Video Conversion [Sponsor]

When you want to convert a photo, video, or audio file from one format to another, it’s far too easy to get bogged down in settings, unable to make heads or tails of technical jargon. Permute saves you from that trouble by taking care of the details and converting files incredibly fast.

To start a file conversion, just drag a file into Permute’s main window or onto its dock icon, click start, and you’re all set. Permute is faster than ever too. With the recent launch of version 3, the app supports an incredibly long list of file formats and has added hardware acceleration for MP4 and HEVC files. The app also has presets for a long list of Apple hardware so you can match your end results to the devices you use. You can even modify images and videos, adjusting their size and rotating and flipping them.

But that’s not all, Permute 3 can also:

  • Convert individual files or groups of files
  • Stitch multiple images, videos, or audio files together
  • Create DVDs
  • Convert uncommon file formats like WebP and SVG
  • Schedule conversions for later
  • Add converted files to iTunes

Permute has a special limited-time deal just for MacStories readers. If you use this link, you can purchase Permute for 20% off. There’s a free trial available too if you want to try the app first.

Visit Permute’s website today to learn more and take advantage of the special 20%-off deal before it expires.

Our thanks to Permute for sponsoring MacStories this week.