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Category: Apple (page 3 of 38)

October 10, 2018

Apple Frames: A Shortcut for Framing Screenshots from Every Apple Device →

Federico Viticci writing for MacStories:

When I published my iPhone XS Frames shortcut two weeks ago, I noted that my goal was to eventually support screenshots and device templates from other Apple devices, starting with the Apple Watch and MacBook Pro. After two weeks spent rebuilding the shortcut and asking Silvia to prepare several more templates, I’m happy to re-introduce my shortcut as the new and improved Apple Frames – a comprehensive custom shortcut to frame screenshots taken on every Apple device. Well, at least most of the current ones that the company is still selling.

Stop looking for a way to create nicely framed screenshots for Apple devices, and just use this. I used the previous incarnation for iPhone screenshots, and it was fantastic. I could lament the absence of support for the 15 inch MacBook Pro, but that would be greedy. This is a completely free tool, and a good example of what you often can find at MacStories, and its subscription service, Club MacStories.


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September 30, 2018

Use LaunchBar to Toggle Dark Mode in Mojave


NightOwl is a menu bar app to help you quickly toggle Mojave’s dark mode on and off. But I f your menu bar is already too cluttered, or if you prefer keeping your hands on the keyboard, you can set up your own tool to accomplish this instead. To do so, you need a program that can invoke an AppleScript, such as LaunchBar. I’ve set forth the steps for creating this below, but you can jump to the end of this post if you only want to download the Actions and don’t care how they’re made.

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September 24, 2018

macOS Mojave: the Automation Angle →

John Voorhees writing for MacStories:

My hope with Quick Actions is that they are the first step in a ground-up re-imagining of automation on the Mac where Quick Actions become the equivalent of shortcuts on iOS and Automator is replaced by something closer to the Shortcuts app on iOS. Automator has served Mac users well for years, but it doesn’t take long using Automator before you need to resort to scripting inside Automator workflows to get things done. Shortcuts supports scripting too, but I’ve found I can create far more complex automations on iOS without resorting to scripts, which makes it accessible to more people.

Dark Mode is the new feature in macOS Mojave getting all the attention, but I’m most interested in Quick Actions. I agree that seeing a tool like Shortcuts on the Mac would be nice, but the ability to run AppleScript in Automator brings all sorts of possibilities to Quick Actions. For example, I’m no scripter, but I regularly use a very basic AppleScript to launch Keyboard Maestro macros from Automator. Once I upgrade to Mojave, I’ll be seeing if I can get some of my Keyboard Maestro macros working through Quick Actions.1

  1. I need to hold off on updating, since I rely on Mail Act-On, which won’t be ready for Mojave (as part of a new Mail app suite) until October.↩


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August 28, 2018

AirPort Express firmware update lets you use external speakers with your HomePod →

Zac Hall writing for 9to5Mac:

Apple’s AirPort line may be discontinued, but AirPort Express got one heck of an update today. Firmware update 7.8 for the latest AirPort Express hardware (2012 2nd-gen model, no longer sold) adds support for AirPlay 2 and Apple’s Home app.

If you’re like me, one feature holding you back from switching from a Sonos system to the HomePod is the ability to connect to external speakers. With my Sonos Connect, I’m able to hook my Sonos system into the ceiling speakers in my home, and play the same music over my ceiling speakers and my standalone Sonos. I pondered how I’d do this with the HomePod. It looks like this update fills that gap, since the AirPort Express has a port to connect to external speakers, and can now sync with the HomePod. Now the only obstacle for me is the price of switching systems, and getting the AirPort Express properly configured to not broadcast a network.


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August 26, 2018

My Mac Feels Delightful Again

The term “delight” is often used to describe the feeling some users get when using iOS, whether that feeling is from the touch user interface, the apps, or something else. I often get that feeling when using iOS, too. While I prefer using the Mac for a variety of reasons, the feelings of delight on the Mac were less frequent for me – until recently. Changing up one of my main tools has brought that feeling back in spades. For you, it might be a different tool entirely.

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