Episode 863: 20 Years of Things with Werner Jainek
Werner Jainek of Cultured Code on nearly 20 years of Things: implementing Siri AI, building a custom sync engine, and staying independent and unfunded since 2007.
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Episode 864: Marked Safe from Buying M5 Ultra
Apple announced a brand new M6 chip, their first with 2nm process, plus upgraded Mac Studio. Does David regret his recent MacBook Pro purchase? Then we launch into listener feedback, Stephen's second new app, Raycast v2, and more.
Episode 865: Harvard Professor Teddy Svoronos on AI in the Classroom
Teddy Svoronos returns to the Mac Power Users. Teddy explains how he uses tech to teach at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the challenges of teaching in the age of A.I.
Episode 858: Making Educational Videos for 17 Years with Ian Byrd
Teacher of teachers Ian Byrd returns to share how he's created thousands of videos using an unlikely stack: Keynote for visuals, Descript for editing, and iPad Pro for using AI remotely.
Episode 861: Stephen Builds a New Task App
In search of the perfect kanban-style project management app, Stephen couldn't find what he was looking for. So, he built his own! We discuss the current landscape of tasks apps, where Kan Do differs, and how it was built.
Episode 856: iOS 27 Beta Features and Siri AI
David bought his MacBook Pro at the *perfect* time, then we discuss Siri AI, iOS 27 beta, and the cultural reception of AI.
Episode 859: Tangential Gadgets
David and Stephen turn the show on themselves: bags, chargers, MagSafe batteries, and fitness trackers. No tangential gadget is left behind.
Episode 843: Bear and Glass Teaches Keyboard Control
Brett Terpstra and Christopher Gamblée-Wallencheck introduce Bear & Glass, their human-focused Mac automation consultancy. Brett shares his ultimate keyboard-driven workflow, previews Marked 3 and BlogBook. Then the gang geeks out on keyboard utilities.
Episode 857: Sparmerica
A stacked feedback mailbag: Siri AI's per-device indexing, a Gmail-to-Siri trick, iOS 27's Extend and Reframe photo tools, subscription fatigue, Wispr Flow dictation, and an automated email robot that resolves Circle support tickets on its own.
Episode 860: The Friday Incident with Merlin Mann
Merlin Mann returns to Mac Power Users 16 years after being our very first guest to break down the AI system he's built — Codex, "triangulation," 31 cross-indexed data sources, and the infamous "Friday Incident."
Episode 855: Federico Viticci Reverse Engineered Shortcuts
Federico Viticci breaks down iOS 27's Shortcuts updates: Describe a Shortcut, Else If, new automation triggers, and built-in data storage. Plus his coder era, Shortcuts Playground 2.0, and training a local model to build shortcuts.
Episode 851: I Have Contraband
David and Stephen answer listener feedback: rebuilding Apple Home with Aqara power-over-Ethernet cameras, smart scales, raw photo editing, connecting AI to email, off-site backups, the new TRMNL X display, and DEVONthink's MCP server.
Episode 854: Obscure (and Excellent) Mac Apps
Lesser-known Mac apps that deserve way more attention: from AI typing assistants, to hacky Stream Decks, note-taking apps, helpful utilities, and beautiful desktop enhancements.
Episode 845: Intentional Technology with Patrick Rhone
Patrick Rhone returns. The gang discusses Apple Silicon rewriting the Mac upgrade cycle, the Apple Refurb Store, and minimalist phones.
Episode 853: Siri AI and WWDC 2026
Stephen reports live from Apple Park on WWDC 2026: the post-keynote tech talk, Gemini partnership explained, and Siri AI that finally works. Plus shortcuts, photos AI, and more.
Episode 852: Designed in California and WWDC Wishlist with Myke Hurley
Myke Hurley joins us to discuss the launch of Designed in California, a new Apple history podcast with Jason Snell. Then we share our hopes for WWDC, what AI features we may see, and more!
Episode 841: The Robot Assistant Field Guide
David walks through the AI robot assistant he built with Claude Cowork, from file management and email to invoicing and podcast production. Plus, why managed AI agents finally solve the memory and access problems that held chatbots back.
Episode 850: Overcast Transcripts and 48 Mac minis with Marco Arment
Marco Arment joins us to dive deeper on Overcast transcripts, the 48 Mac mini server powering it all, how AI is changing app development, restaurant tech, and more!
Episode 839: Fifty Years of Apple with David Pogue
Author and broadcaster David Pogue joins the Mac Power Users to talk about his new book, 50 Years of Apple, and his tech stack.
Episode 838: iPhone Setup Showdown
We break down our entire iPhone setups including Home Screens, widgets, Focus Modes, Control Center, Action Button, and more! Stephen *may* have inspired David on this one.
Episode 847: Actually Useful AI Tools
David and Stephen take stock of where AI is actually useful right now. They cover dictation, browsers, agentic workflows, MCP, and Apple Intelligence, plus the real projects each runs today, including email triage and a customer-service robot.
Episode 846: State of Apple Watch 2026
After brief thoughts on John Ternus becoming Apple's next CEO, we dive into the current state of Apple Watch. We explore our setups, faces, complications, apps, and what we hope to see improve.
Episode 844: Building the Ideal Apple Smart Home
A comprehensive look at the state of Apple Smart Home in 2026. David and Stephen share their setups, cover the latest standards, new devices of interest, helpful automations, and how to get started with Apple Home.
Episode 842: Bribing the Fiber Guy
Stephen and David dig into listener feedback on iCloud security, Dropbox alternatives, AI robot assistants, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, Claude computer control, and more!
Episode 840: Finder is More Powerful Than You Think
We break down Finder workflows, Hazel automations, Alfred shortcuts, and the systems that keep us organized on macOS.
Episode 837: Menu Bar Mayhem
David and Stephen go deep on the Mac menu bar, comparing their contrasting philosophies and walk through their favorites. They also explore how macOS 26's multiple Control Centers are changing the game.
Mac Power Users #744: Apple’s “Let Loose” iPad Event
Apple has unveiled new iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Stephen and David talk through the news and discuss why hardware isn't at the heart of the iPad's struggles.
Episode 869: It Was Basically a Wash
David and Stephen compare the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, discuss David's move to an M6 Mac mini for local AI and server work, and test Siri AI on everyday tasks.
Episode 868: Tyler Stalman Reviews iPhone 18 Pro Camera
Photographer and filmmaker Tyler Stalman joins us to go in-depth on iPhone 18 Pro camera, including the faster main lens, variable aperture, and the new Pro Controls, and why they matter more than the marketing suggests.
Episode 867: Deep Dive on macOS 27 and Siri AI
David and Stephen compare iOS 27 and macOS 27 after a summer of daily use, covering Liquid Glass, Safari extensions, Spotlight, Siri AI, HomeKit, AppleCare One Family, Apple Watch improvements, and the apps adopting Apple's new tools.
Episode 866: The Ternus Doctrine
The torch is passed to John Ternus who beings his first Apple event as CEO, espousing a new doctrine of the "intelligent personal hub." Then we dive into all the hardware announcements, iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Series 12, and more.
Episode 862: Mac Launcher Showdown
We put Spotlight, Raycast, and Alfred head-to-head to find the best launcher on Mac!