This Week's Sponsor:

Copilot Money

The Apple Editor’s Choice App for Managing Your Money

Posts in Linked

Apple Debuts New USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter for iPad Pro and Modern Macs→

Chance Miller of 9to5Mac details a fresh update to an Apple USB-C adapter:

Apple this week has quietly released a new version of its USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. This $69 adapter includes a USB-C port, HDMI port, and USB-A port, with the new version making several notable improvements.

The new USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter adds support for HDMI 2.0, an upgrade from the original model’s HDMI 1.4b. This means you can now drive 4K 3840 x 2160 video at 60Hz

4K 60Hz throughput is supported on the iPad Pro, iMac Pro, and 2017 or later versions of the 15-inch MacBook Pro and Retina iMac. Miller also notes that the updated dongle now includes “support for HDR video in HDR10, as well as Dolby Vision.”

I’ve been interested in purchasing the prior version of this adapter for contexts where I’d like to watch a video but don’t have an Internet connection. Since the Apple TV doesn’t support offline downloads, but many apps on the iPad do, connecting my iPad Pro to a TV set via HDMI seems like the best solution. The added flexibility of including a USB-A port, and even a USB-C port to enable power charging, makes this an especially appealing dongle for me.

You can order the new USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter from Apple’s website for $69.

Permalink

Connected, Episode 255: Addicted to the Thrill of Cyber Crime→

On this week’s episode of Connected:

Federico is just a pile of recurring automations now, so Myke and Stephen discuss the rollout of Apple Card and the macOS bounty program, before a dive into FileMaker’s history and recent rebranding and a discussion of moving on from the Apple Watch.

You can listen below (and find the show notes here).

0:00
01:18:56

Connected, Episode 255

Sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code CONNECTED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
  • Care/of: Personalized vitamins, protein and more, delivered to your door. Use ‘connected’ for 25% off.
Permalink

Adapt, Episode 7: iPadOS 13 Reflections and an Apple Mail Deep Dive→

On this week’s episode of Adapt:

With September fast approaching, Federico and Ryan reflect on iPadOS 13 after two months of use, then Ryan does a deep dive on Apple Mail – how he uses it, what power user features it offers, and where it’s still lacking.

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.

0:00
01:03:57

Adapt, Episode 7

Permalink

Creating the World of Red Rising with Author Pierce Brown (Part 2)→

Today on Dialog, we conclude our conversation with New York Times best-selling author Pierce Brown, the creator of the Red Rising series of novels. In the second part of our two-part interview, we talk about Brown’s writing process, the usefulness of typewriters and deadlines, the challenges of writing dialogue and multiple points of view, Iron Gold, Dark Age, and the tools used to write it.

You can find the episode here or listen through the Dialog web player below.

Sponsored by:

  • Astropad Studio – Turn your iPad into a professional graphics tablet. Get started today with a 30-day free trial.
  • Hullo – Your favorite pillow, guaranteed.
Permalink

AppStories, Episode 123 – Is Competing with Apple’s iOS Apps Getting Tougher?→

On this week’s episode of AppStories, we consider the state of Apple’s built-in apps and whether it’s getting harder for third-party developers to compete with them.

Sponsored by:

  • Textastic – The code editor for your iPad and iPhone.
  • Pingdom – Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code APPSTORIES to get 30% off.

Permalink

Connected, Episode 254: Hot Salt→

On this week’s episode of Connected:

Stephen is back from repairing Macs and ruined the intro. Federico explains what’s going on with iOS 13 Beta 5, and Myke is excited about the second coming of the Galaxy Fold. Then, the guys discuss Apple’s Q3 results.

You can listen below (and find the show notes here).

0:00
01:24:56

Connected, Episode 254

Sponsored by:

  • ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
  • Bombas: The most comfortable socks in the history of feet. Use this link for 20% off.
Permalink

The Omni Group Adopting Standard iOS Document Browser→

Ken Case, writing for The Omni Group:

In 2019, we think it’s time to retire our custom document browser in favor of using Apple’s built-in document browser—and with our iOS 13 updates this fall we’ll be doing just that. Instead of seeing our custom file browser, you’ll be presented with the standard iOS document browser—just like in Apple’s own iWork apps. Using Apple’s browser, you’ll be able to store and sync your documents using Apple’s built-in iCloud Drive, or third-party commercial options like Box—or even in cloud- or self-hosted collaborative git repositories using Working Copy.

Syncing through OmniPresence will still be an option, but it will no longer be the only integrated option. In fact, it might be the least privileged option: since OmniPresence isn’t its own separate app, it won’t be listed in the document browser’s sidebar where you find your other document storage solutions. Instead, it will present itself on iOS much like it does on Mac—as a folder of synced documents. We’re not trying to drive people away from using OmniPresence—but in 2019 we don’t think it makes sense to push people towards it either. OmniPresence is not a core part of our apps or business, and in 2019 there are lots of great alternatives. Seamless document syncing is essential to our apps—but exactly where and how those documents are synced is not!

This is an excellent change and one I hope more apps move toward. The document browser in iOS is essentially a special view of the Files app which is used as the root file management UI in document-based apps that adopt it. As Case points out, all of Apple’s iWork apps support the document browser, and several key third-party apps do too such as PDF Viewer, MindNode, and Pretext. The document browser not only enables users to store an app’s files in any file provider they wish, but its other primary benefit is offering a single unified file browsing experience for users on iOS. As more apps adopt the document browser, that unified experience becomes more a reality for iPad and iPhone users.

The timing of the Omni Group implementing the document browser is surely no surprise: this fall Apple’s Files app is being upgraded with support for external storage devices like USB drives, a new Column view, shared iCloud Drive folders, and more. By adopting the document browser in apps like OmniOutliner and OmniGraffle, the Omni Group gets the advantage of having all these new Files features built right into their apps.

Permalink

Apple Now Selling LG UltraFine 5K Display with iPad Pro Compatibility→

Benjamin Mayo at 9to5Mac noticed a new addition to the Apple Store today:

Apple is now selling a new generation of the 5K LG UltraFine display. For the first time, the 5K UltraFine is now compatible with the iPad Pro, finally offering a 5K display option for 2018 iPad Pro users.

Previously, the 5K UltraFine display would only work over Thunderbolt. Now, it can output 5K over USB-C DisplayPort, which means it can now work with any of Apple’s current Mac and iPad Pro lineup.

Earlier this year the previous UltraFine 5K was mysteriously discontinued. Many assumed that move was in preparation for Apple introducing its own display option at WWDC. When the Pro Display XDR was unveiled, however, its $4,999 base price meant it clearly didn’t target the same market as LG’s UltraFine. While it’s possible Apple will introduce a lower-cost first-party display at some point in the future, for now the UltraFine is a nice alternative option to have. It’s priced at $1,299, and while nothing else about the monitor has changed, the ability to output from the iPad Pro is a valuable addition.

Update: Since originally publishing, 9to5Mac has discovered a support document from Apple which clarifies that, in fact, this new monitor can only work with the iPad Pro at 4K resolution - 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz – rather than the full 5K available with many Mac models. A disappointing discovery, but perhaps not altogether surprising.

Permalink