One of the more annoying tasks I do every day, over and over, is creating Markdown-formatted links, like this: [MacStories](https://staging.macstories.net). Markdown links are great because they’re much more readable than raw HTML, but adding them as you write a story or assemble a list of articles can be laborious, requiring a lot of copying and...
Interesting Links
[[John]] The Browser Company has been acquired by Atlassian, an enterprise-focused corporation. Given Atlassian’s focus and acquisition, I’m not optimistic about the future of Arc or Dia, but with a big company behind them, there’s always the possibility that The Browser Company will flourish. (Link) The review season has prevented me from wading into the...
App Debuts
[[John]] Acorn Flying Meat’s image editor was updated to version 8.2 this week, adding a diffing tool to the app’s export feature. Now, when you export an image, you have the option to view a highlighted overlay of any changes made to it. There’s also a new feature that adds non-destructive linear and radial multi-stop...
Small Changes, Big Impacts
Going into my August break, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. My office had gotten disorganized and out of control, and I had some projects on my mind that I’d been putting off for too long. I wanted to come out of the break in a good frame of mind for the busy fall season...
Back From Break: Automation, AI, and IKEA
Federico
JohnThis week, AppStories returns with details on the projects Federico and John worked on during their breaks.
On AppStories+, the importance of breaks and finding ways to unwind.
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AppStories Episode 450 - Back From Break: Automation, AI, and IKEA
0:00
47:48
47:48
This episode is sponsored by:
- Steamclock – We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details.
- Xsolla – ? Launch a high-performing branded Web Shop in minutes—or build a fully custom storefront without the hassle. Xsolla’s modular solution reduces platform fees, supports 1,000+ global payment methods, and ships with built-in LiveOps and customization tools—so every purchase puts more revenue back in your studio’s pocket.
Links and Show Notes
Our Summer Break Projects
- Federico:
- Set up a Notion database for his work.
- Also mentioned:
- John:
- Updated his audio setup with the MOTU M4 audio interface
- Got organized with the help of IKEA’s Kallax and Invallning, and
- Built automations for MacStories Deals that work with Mastodon and Bluesky
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App Debuts
[[John]] Yume Yume is a free dream journal app for the iPhone that features quick capture to jot down your dreams before you forget them. The app uses a simple black and white design to invoke calm and uses a fun book-opening animation for your journal. BookFusion BookFusion is an eBook reader and manager for...
Beating the Heat with SwitchBot Smart Gadgets
Earlier this summer, I bought the SwitchBot Meter Pro bundle, which we recommended on MacStories Deals earlier this week. The Meter Pro is a small display with a kickstand that measures indoor temperature and humidity. The bundle adds an outdoor sensor that I put on my balcony and a Matter-compatible Hub Mini that pulls in...
Two New Club Plus and Premier Discord Channels
Over our break, I spent some time exploring how I could use Zapier to enhance what we do at MacStories. On the Club side of things, that’s resulted in two new channels: 1. MacStories Articles and Podcasts This is a new forum channel for discussing MacStories articles and podcast episodes. It’s a pretty simple Zapier...
Building a Better AI App
This week, Federico and John pick and choose their favorite AI app features to imagine a better AI app future, critiquing the leading LLM apps along the way. And, as a bonus, John explains why read-later apps should support Shortcuts and other automation schemes.
On AppStories+, the critique continues with a look at how Todoist could be improved.
We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.
To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.
AppStories Episode 449 - Building a Better AI App
0:00
36:27
36:27
This episode is sponsored by:
- Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off
Links and Show Notes
Building a Better AI App
- Federico and John take a close look at what works and what doesn’t with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, NotebookLM and other AI apps.
- Read-later apps could learn a thing or rwo from GoodLinks.
- Mentioned: