Patrick Rhone returns. The gang discusses Apple Silicon rewriting the Mac upgrade cycle, the Apple Refurb Store, and minimalist phones.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.
• NerdWallet: Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Guest Starring:

Patrick Rhone

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

MPU 845 on YouTube

Patrick Rhone – Master Generalist

enough – Patrick Rhone

Minimal Mac | iPad First Impressions

The Dash/Plus System – Rhoneisms

I Deleted My Second Brain | Medium

Patrick Rhone (@patrickrhone) • Instagram photos and videos

Certified Refurbished Products - Apple

The Light Phone | The Light Phone

The Minimal Company | Live More, Scroll Less.

Brick — Take Back Control of Your Screen Time – Brick LLC

Calendar App for Mac and iPhone with Tasks and Smart Filters | BusyCal | BusyCal & BusyContacts

Now Software - Wikipedia

Timex Sinclair 1000 - Wikipedia

Macintosh Color Classic - Wikipedia

The Anxious Generation — from a book to a movement

Stillness Is The Key: Pre-Order Bonuses - RyanHoliday.net

DuckDuckGo - Protection. Privacy. Peace of mind.

Watch Movies and TV Shows Free Online - Plex

Set up YouTube Kids

Welcome to Sarah Lawrence College

Shop Instant Pot & Instant Appliances | Official Website

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.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.

Links and Show Notes:

Members can add MPU Pro Max feed with Star Wars ranking bonus episode here!

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Tour My 100% Apple Smart Home (2026) - YouTube

5 Smart Home Wins…and 3 Big Mistakes - YouTube

Get Started with Apple Smart Home in 2025 - YouTube

Obsidian Brew — Bluesky

Aqara Doorbell Camera G400

Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400

Govee Floor Lamp 2

meross Matter Smart Plug Mini

Canisteo Automatic Smart Blinds

Aqara Smart Thermostat W200

Google Nest Learning Thermostat

ecobee Smart Thermostat

Eve Aqua

meross WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose

Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2

Eve Motion (Matter)

Aqara Water Leak Sensor

Eve Water Guard

Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE

TP-Link Tapo 2K QHD Pan/Tilt Camera

Eve Cam (Apple Home)

ECOVACS DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI

SmartWings Hardwired Motorized Roller Shades

ThorBolt X1 Apple Home Key Lock

Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410

ecobee Smart Video Doorbell

Arlo Video Doorbell 2K

Aqara 2K Indoor Camera E1

meross Smart Garage Door (for Chamberlain)

meross Smart Garage Door Opener (Older)

Lutron Caseta Smart Fan Speed Control

GE Cync Reveal HD+ Smart Undercabinet Light

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K

meross Smart Table Lamp

Philips Hue Twilight

Eve Flare

Govee Floor Lamp 2

Govee RGBWWIC Strip Light 2 Pro

Leviton Decora Smart Controller Switch

Airversa Smart HomeKit Button

Aqara Wireless Mini Switch

Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer Light

Aqara Presence Sensor FP300

Govee 1600 Lumens Smart Light Bulbs

eufy Robot Vacuum S2

Apple approves drivers that let AMD and Nvidia eGPUs run on Mac

Brett Terpstra and Christopher Gamblée-Wallendjack 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.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Guest Starring:

Christopher Gamblée-Wallendjack and Brett Terpstra

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

MPU 843 on YouTube

Bear & Glass - Human-Focused Apple Automation & Consulting

BrettTerpstra.com

Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI for Essay Writing Task — MIT Media Lab

My ultimate keyboard-driven Mac utility list - BrettTerpstra

Superkey

Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

doing - BrettTerpstra

Karabiner-Elements

Marked - Markdown Preview and Converter

HandBrake

Plexamp | Plex

GitHub - mikker/LeaderKey

Paletro — Command Palette in any applications

Keyboard Maestro

BetterTouchTool

Drafts | Where Text Starts

TaskPaper – Plain text to-do lists for Mac

Permute - Media Converter for macOS

Bloom - Finder, but Refined

Forklift 4

BlogBook — WordPress, Micro.blog, or Ghost

CineNerdle

GitHub - ecwilsonaz/mediasage: Unofficial AI-powered Plex playlist generator with library awareness. Every track it suggests, you actually own. · GitHub

Welcome to Bunch - Bunch.app

Scripting Jekyll image "uploads" - BrettTerpstra

Aptonic - Dropzone 5

Retrobatch 2 | Batch Image Processor

Web Excursions for March 31st, 2026 - BrettTerpstra.com

LaunchControl: The launchd GUI

Overtired – Tech, Mental Health, and Taylor Swift

Reflections on Macworld - 512 Pixels

Home Page - Podfeet Podcasts

FFmpeg

MailMate

Stream Deck | Elgato

nvUltra - Searchable, portable, MultiMarkdown notes

Task Management Software Built For Pros - OmniFocus - The Omni Group

Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking

Setapp | Powerful apps for Mac & iOS

Noodlesoft – Noodlesoft – Simply Useful Software

YUZU Custom Keycaps

Hyperkey

LaunchBar 6

Alfred - Productivity App for macOS

Cotypist – AI Autocomplete for Mac | Type Faster, Write Better

Stephen and David dig into listener feedback on iCloud security, Dropbox alternatives, AI robot assistants, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, Claude computer control, and more!

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• SaneBox: Take back control of your inbox.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Links and Show Notes:

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Alter | AI

Stream Deck + XL

How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

Maestral

CloudMounter

Transloader for Mac, iPhone

Downie

Hazel

Obsidian

Why I’m Making the Switch: A Two-Week Journey with NotePlan

Carbon Copy Cloner

OneTap for iPhone

Two-Way Translate Shortcut

Remember This to Reminders Shortcut

Put Claude to work on your computer

Dreaming of an ultralight Mac – Six Colors

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.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
• NerdWallet: Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link.
• SaneBox: Take back control of your inbox.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

MPU 841 on YouTube

Robot Assistant Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides

Use code ROBOTLAUNCH for 10% Off through March 30.

I regret nothing - YouTube

Stephen unboxes his new Studio Display XDR

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Galaxy AI | Samsung US

Claude

Claude Code overview - Claude Code Docs

Introducing the Model Context Protocol \ Anthropic

Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking

NotePlan - Tasks, Notes, and Calendar

Flexibits | Fantastical — The calendar and tasks app you won't be able to live without.

Google Gemini

Perplexity Computer

Studio Display XDR - Apple

Superhuman: Docs, Mail, and AI That Work Everywhere

Inbox | Fastmail

Invoice and Accounting Software for Small Businesses - FreshBooks

DEVONtechnologies | DEVONthink, professional document and information manager for Mac and iOS.

Rogue Amoeba | Audio Hijack: Record Any Audio on MacOS

Riverside: HD Podcast & Video Software | Free Recording & Editing

Drafts | Where Text Starts

Day One Journal App | Your Journal For Life

Bear - Markdown Notes

MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch - Apple

Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Support

MacSparky Labs - MacSparky

MacBook Neo - Apple

We break down Finder workflows, Hazel automations, Alfred shortcuts, and the systems that keep us organized on macOS.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Links and Show Notes:

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Stephen's Moom AppleScript

MacBook Neo: Tyler Stalman - YouTube

David's Finder

Stephen's Finder

Hazel Mac App

Supercharge — Sindre Sorhus

Finder Toolbar Options

Finder Extensions

Path Finder Cocoatech

Forklift 4

Downie - YouTube Video Downloader

Bloom - Finder, but Refined

Raycast - Your shortcut to everything

Alfred

DEVONtechnologies

David's "New" Monitor

Hazel Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides

Get 50% Off for the next 30 days with code: MPUHAZEL

Author and broadcaster David Pogue joins the Mac Power Users to talk about his new book, 50 Years of Apple, and his tech stack.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Things: A fresh new look for OS 26. Download a FREE trial for your Mac.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Guest Starring:

David Pogue

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Apple: The First 50 Years

David Pogue.com

Home - CHM

Calendar App for Mac and iPhone with Tasks and Smart Filters | BusyCal | BusyCal & BusyContacts

Bear - Markdown Notes

Keyboard Maestro 11.0.4: Work Faster with Macros for macOS

Free AI Voice Generator & Voice Agents Platform | ElevenLabs

ChatGPT

Her - Wikipedia

Apple Vision Pro - Apple

MacBook Pro - Apple

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.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.
• SaneBox: Take back control of your inbox.

Links and Show Notes:

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Stephen's Home Screen

David's Home Screen

Stephen's Focus Mode Screens

David's Lock Screens

David's Focus Home Screen

Stephen's Filming Focus

Stephen's Control Center

Basic Apple Guy Wallpapers

Parachute Backup iCloud

Foodnoms Food Tracker App

AnyList for Groceries

‎Showcase: Track Movies & Shows

Parcel Delivery Tracking

Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking

Callsheet — Look Up Films, Shows

Shareshot — Frame Screenshots

Stephen's Shortcuts Video with Screenshot Workflows

Things - To-Do List App

OmniFocus

Drafts | Where Text Starts

Whisper Memos

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.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Insta360: Introducing the Insta360 Wave and the Link 2 Pro.
• HTTPBot: A powerful API client and debugger for Apple platforms. Get a 7-day trial and 25% off your subscription.
• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Mac Power Users
Stephen Robles
David Sparks

The Editor
Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer
Kerry Provanzano

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

David's Menu Bar, Condensed

David's Full Menu Bar

Stephen's Menu Bar

Ice Menu Bar Manager

‎Hidden Bar App - App Store

‎Barbee - App Store

BuhoBarX

MacMenuBar.com

iStat Menus

Loom

CleanShot X for Mac

Screen Studio

Dropzone 4

DEVONtechnologies

Supercharge — Sindre Sorhus

‎DiskView App - App Store

Audio Hijack

Setapp

Hazel for Mac

PopClip for Mac

BetterTouchTool

CleanMyMac

Moom · Many Tricks

Karabiner-Elements

Carbon Copy Cloner

WhisperType

Cotypist

Wispr Flow

Tailscale

‎Pastebot App - App Store

‎Shortery App - App Store

‎Itsyhome App - App Store

‎HomeControl Menu for HomeKit App - App Store

Shawn Blanc

Backblaze

MacWhisper

Grammarly

Timing

Flexibits | Fantastical

‎Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop App - App Store

Drafts | Where Text Starts

Day One Journal App

Keyboard Maestro

TextExpander

Alfred

Menuwhere

Bitfocus - Companion

Parcel - Delivery Tracking

‎Creator's Best Friend App - App Store

GALLEON 100 SD Keyboard

David officially welcomes Stephen as co-host, exploring his background in music, podcasting, and his Mac setup. Then, rapid-fire questions, putting Stephen on the spot for some Apple hot takes!

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Insta360: Introducing the Insta360 Wave and the Link 2 Pro.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
• Fundera, powered by NerdWallet: Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link.
• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Links and Show Notes:

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

Gling - AI Video Editing Software for YouTube

AI tool Stephen uses on every video.

David Metzger - Wikipedia

Website Change Detection Service

Primary Technology

Range Book by David Epstein

PowerBook G4 - Wikipedia

Transloader for Mac

Downie - Video Downloader

‎Transcriptionist App - App Store

‎Vxio App - App Store

Dream Machine SE - Ubiquiti

Ferrite Podcast Editing App

Basic Apple Guy Wallpapers

Keychron Q2 Max

Sony A7IV Camera

Sony a6400 Camera

Sigma 35mm E-Mount Lens

BlackMagic ATEM Mini Pro Switcher

Rodecaster Pro II

Neumann KMS 105 Mic

Earthworks Ethos Mic

Sennheiser MKH-416 Mic

CalDigit Element Hub

OWC Envoy Pro FX SSD

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

Mac Power Users #737: Scoring a Movie, with David Metzger

David and Stephen celebrate the last seven years of Mac Power Users, reflecting on the topics, episodes, and community that make MPU so special. Then, Stephen Robles joins to accept the baton before his first episode as David's new cohost.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• 1Password: Never forget a password again.

Guest Starring:

Stephen Robles

Links and Show Notes:

Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube.

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments

Submit Feedback

The One Where I Announce I’m Stepping Back From Mac Power Users - 512 Pixels

A New Chapter for Mac Power Users - MacSparky

Mac Power Users #834: I Am The Tardis - Relay

Brett, David, and Merlin at Macworld 2012

Why I'm No Longer Practicing Law - MacSparky

Mac Power Users #485: WWDC and Interview with the Mac Pro Product Manager - Relay

Mac Power Users #500: David in the Hot Seat - Relay

Stephen Upgrading Macs at MacStock

Apple announces Mac transition to Apple silicon - Apple

Mac Power Users #472: Live in Chicago with Friends - Relay

Mac Power Users #464: Stephen... Who? - Relay