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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Stephen starts the episode with an announcement, then he and David revisit writing workflows, Keyboard Maestro, notifications, and more. At the end, the guys attempt to answer some questions as quickly as possible... something they aren't great at doing.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
• Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac.

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

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Mac Power Users #833: Chris Bailey and His Battle-Scarred M1 - Relay

Stephen Robles - YouTube

Obsidian

NotePlan - Tasks, Notes, and Calendar

Mac Power Users #756: Exploring NotePlan with David Roth - Relay

Mac Power Users #828: Revisiting Keyboard Maestro - Relay

Apple event - Wikipedia

Conflict Palette [Keyboard Maestro Wiki]

Keyboard Maestro episode on MPU - Dr. Drang

Fixing TextExpander prefixes - All this

Claude

Google Gemini

ChatGPT

Moltbot (Formerly Clawdbot) Showed Me What the Future of Personal AI Assistants Looks Like - MacStories

Manage your apps with Sign in with Apple - Apple Support

Use 1Password to sign in to sites with supported providers | 1Password Support

Pixelmator Pro - Apple

Michael Tsai - Blog - Bartender Acquired by Applause Group

Bartender 6

Ice - Menu Bar Manager

Ice 0.11.13-dev.2f-unofficial · jordanbaird/Ice

Getting Started with Cowork | Claude Help Center

Things - To-Do List App for Mac & iOS

Trello

Chris Bailey shares his unconventional tech stack: TextEdit for writing, SimpleNote for tasks, and printing research on paper. He also tried using an iPad mini as his phone to create friction with distraction.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

• 1Password: Never forget a password again.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.

Guest Starring:

Chris Bailey

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

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Welcome - Chris Bailey

Intentional Book - Chris Bailey

Focused #247: Getting Intentional, with Chris Bailey - Relay

Chris's "chamferred" MacBook Pro

Fastmail

Sanebox

TextEdit - Wikipedia

Wispr Flow

WhisperType - Mac dictation app

Bear - Markdown Notes

Simplenote

Soulver 3 - Notepad Calculator App for Mac, iPad & iPhone

TripMode - Save data, browse faster

Freedom | Block Websites, Apps, and the Internet

Subtitle: …and Apple Creator Studio

After talking through the new Apple Creator Studio bundle, Stephen shares his notes with David after switching to the Apple Weather app for a month.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

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

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

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Productivity Field Guide 2026 (Pro Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides

Productivity Field Guide 2026 (Essentials Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides

Introducing Apple Creator Studio, an inspiring collection of creative apps - Apple

Apple Creator Studio - Apple

Apple Creator Studio Announced - 512 Pixels

BMW drops plan to charge a monthly fee for heated seats | The Verge

‎The Apple Weather App - App Store

Dashboard - 512 Pixels

Apple acquires popular weather app Dark Sky and will shut down the Android version | The Verge

Get Started with WeatherKit - Apple Developer

Daring Fireball: Twitter Clients Are a UI Design Playground

Weather User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Check the weather on iPhone - Apple Support

Check the weather on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Manage weather notifications on iPhone - Apple Support

Use Weather widgets on iPhone - Apple Support

ForecastAdvisor

CARROT Weather

Mercury Weather

Hello Weather