Next week, I will be publishing an iPad feature story I’ve been working on for the past few months. The story, which I’ve teased on recent episodes of Connected, will be an in-depth look at my work on the iPad since I started using the device as my main computer seven years ago. I...
Adapt, Episode 1: Custom Keyboards and the iPad Multitasking System→
Introducing Adapt, a show where Federico Viticci and Ryan Christoffel challenge each other to do new things on the iPad. On this debut episode, Federico investigates being productive using third-party software keyboards, then he and Ryan discuss ways they use the iPad’s multitasking system in everyday life.
In the first episode of our new iPad-focused podcast Adapt – which we launched yesterday - Ryan challenged me to get work done on my iPad Pro using custom software keyboards. No spoilers, but I found the experience surprisingly fun and useful. We also talked about the current state of iPad multitasking and the changes we’d like to see in iOS 13.
You can listen below (and find the show notes here), and don’t forget to send us questions using #AskAdapt and by tagging our Twitter account.
Connected, Episode 243: I Win Money Because It’s Green→
This week, Federico floats a conspiracy about iTunes, the crew check in on their 2019 predictions, and Myke makes a huge promise before Stephen shares about his Pixel 3a.
On this week’s episode of Connected, we revisit our Apple predictions for 2019 and discuss a fun variety of topics. You can listen here.
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iOS 13 App Rumors and Wishes
John
AppStories Episode 111 - iOS 13 App Rumors and Wishes
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This week, Federico and John share their thoughts on the latest iOS 13 app rumors reported by Mark Gurman and 9to5Mac and other features and updates they’d like to see Apple implement this year.
Connected, Episode 242: An Incredible Critique of Modern Capitalism→
Warren Buffett and Tim Cook star in a new iPhone game, Stephen and Myke tried the official Twitter app for a week and Federico is exporting his notes. Elsewhere, Mark Gurman has reported on iOS 13 and new versions of macOS and watchOS.
A very special episode of Connected this week, which also includes some details on my Evernote experiment and our thoughts on recent iOS 13 rumors. You can listen here.
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Revisiting the Breakup of iTunes
Accessing Hidden Folder Options in iOS’ Files App
I’ve been doing some experiments in the Files app lately as part of a story I’m working on, and I’ve come across a semi-hidden gesture that exposes some useful functionality in Apple’s file manager worth sharing. In Files, you can long-press anywhere on an empty spot in the current view or, more simply, on...
A Mac Automation Schism→
Thoughtful take by Jason Snell on the recent discussion around the idea that Shortcuts may be coming to the Mac and what that could mean for macOS automation. Snell imagines a scenario where Quick Actions, introduced last year with Mojave, could act as a bridge between old-school Mac apps and a new breed of Marzipan apps compatible (in theory) with Shortcuts only:
Something funny happened in macOS Mojave. Apple actually brushed off some very old Mac OS X technology, Services, and gave it a rebrand as Quick Actions. Quick Actions are commands you can find in Quick Look previews, the Finder’s new Gallery view, and on the Touch Bar. Some are pre-built by Apple, but users can add their own by saving Automator actions as Quick Actions.
I have no idea what prompted Apple to bubble up Automator actions into more places in the macOS interface with Mojave, but Quick Actions strikes me as a pretty good companion to Siri Shortcuts. Imagine a scenario where apps originating on iOS can support Siri Shortcuts via the same methods they use on iOS. Now imagine that Siri Shortcuts can also use Quick Actions as a source for potential commands. Quick Actions are contextual, those old-school Mac apps can bring their own Quick Actions to the party, and users can build their own Quick Actions to do whatever they want. It would be a simple way to bridge the gap between the two different app types that Mac users will be using together, at least for a while.
As I argued on Connected a couple of weeks ago, I’m intrigued by the idea that a Mac version of Shortcuts could have built-in bridges for old automation tools (shell, AppleScript, Automator, etc.) to at least trigger those scripts from the new app. Quick Actions would be a great fit for this; in fact, I find the whole idea of Quick Actions is well suited the Files app on iOS as well.
Connected, Episode 241: 123 Twitter Client Doesn’t Work→
Stephen returns order to the podcast after two weeks away, Myke reads some Hex color codes and Federico turns on his hype machine.
Some interesting discussions about apps and using Twitter on this week’s episode of Connected. You can listen here.
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