Federico Viticci

906 posts on MacStories since April 2009

Federico is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of MacStories, where he writes about Apple with a focus on apps, developers, iPad, and iOS productivity. He founded MacStories in April 2009 and has been writing about Apple since. Federico is also the co-host of AppStories, a weekly podcast exploring the world of apps, Unwind, a fun exploration of media and more, and NPC: Next Portable Console, a show about portable gaming and the handheld revolution.
viticci@macstories.net

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AppStories, Ep. 376 - 44 minutes

Shortcuts Wishlist (2024 Edition)

FedericoJohn
AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 376 - Shortcuts Wishlist (2024 Edition)

0:00
43:38

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John take a hard look at Shortcuts to discuss what needs fixing and the new features they hope to see Apple announce at WWDC this year.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software
  • Jam: Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.
  • Notion: Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Ruminate

Shortcuts Wishlist

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AppStories, Ep. 375 - 35 minutes

Why’d You Download That?

FedericoJohn
AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 375 - Why’d You Download That?

0:00
35:08

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John take a look at their latest app downloads on a variety of Apple devices.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • TelemetryDeck – privacy-first app analytics and usage data that’s not evil. Get 3 month free for any paid plan with checkout code APPSTORIES (new customers only)
  • Jam – Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.

Why’d You Download That?

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AppStories, Ep. 374 - 35 minutes

Examining Apple App and OS Design Trends

FedericoJohn
AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps
0:00
34:40

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John examine Apple’s Sports and Journal apps and visionOS for clues to what their designs may mean for the next major revisions of Apple’s OSes.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion

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AppStories, Ep. 373 - 51 minutes

Introducing the MacPad

FedericoJohn
AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 373 - Introducing the MacPad

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51:28

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico introduces the world to the MacPad, a hybrid Mac/iPad that he built from an M2 MacBook Air and 11” iPad Pro, and John quizzes him on the build process, software involved, and what it’s like to use.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Concepts: Sketch, Note, Draw.
  • Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.
  • Notion: Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

The MacPad

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MacPad: How I Created the Hybrid Mac-iPad Laptop and Tablet That Apple Won’t Make

Hello, MacPad.

Hello, MacPad.

It all started because I wanted a better keyboard for my Vision Pro. I had no idea that, in looking for one, I’d accidentally create the hybrid Apple computer of my dreams.

As I quickly discovered after working on the Vision Pro daily, you can get by without an external trackpad, but a keyboard is necessary if you want to type something longer than a passcode. That’s where my journey began: if I wanted to write and edit articles on the Vision Pro, what would the best keyboard-trackpad setup be?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve tested all the options at my disposal. I started with an Apple Magic Trackpad and Keyboard, which I then placed inside a Twelve South MagicBridge (it was too uncomfortable to put on my lap for longer stretches of time). Next, I tried using different types of “trays” for these two accessories that offered a laptop-like layout (comfort was better, but lack of palm rejection was an issue). I even attempted to revive an old Brydge keyboard and use it with the Vision Pro, but, alas, third-party trackpads aren’t supported on visionOS at the moment.

Eventually, I settled on the solution that I should have known was coming for me all along: the best keyboard and trackpad combo for a Vision Pro is a Mac laptop. So I started using my MacBook Air every day, taking advantage of Mac Virtual Display and Universal Control to get work done with the Vision Pro in a mix of classic desktop apps and new visionOS experiences. I’ll write more about this soon, but, so far, it’s felt powerful and flexible in a way that iPadOS hasn’t made me feel in a while.

But something kept nagging me.

Read more

AppStories, Ep. 372 - 33 minutes

Apple Vision Pro Entertainment Apps

FedericoJohn
AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 372 - Apple Vision Pro Entertainment Apps

0:00
33:26

↓

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John share some of their favorite visionOS entertainment apps.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion
  • Porkbun – Get $1 off your next domain name with the code APPDEVFOO1.

Vision Pro Entertainment Apps

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Turning a Things Task’s Notes into a Markdown Document

I shared my collection of advanced shortcuts for the Things app in the Automation Academy for Club Plus and Premier members yesterday, but as I was finalizing the story, I realized there was one more shortcut I wanted to build, which I could share here in MacStories Weekly. Lately, I’ve noticed that I’ve started taking...