Podcast · Tech & Science

Mac Power Users

Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users since 2009, one conversation at a time. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Robles.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest: 4 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 7 min

869: It Was Basically a Wash

David and Stephen compare the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, discuss David's move to an M6 Mac mini for local AI and server work, and test Siri AI on everyday tasks.

Play episode WhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E868 · 27 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

868: Tyler Stalman Reviews iPhone 18 Pro Camera

Photographer and filmmaker Tyler Stalman joins us to go in-depth on iPhone 18 Pro camera, including the faster main lens, variable aperture, and the new Pro Controls, and why they matter more than the marketing suggests.
E867 · 20 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 31 min

867: Deep Dive on macOS 27 and Siri AI

David and Stephen compare iOS 27 and macOS 27 after a summer of daily use, covering Liquid Glass, Safari extensions, Spotlight, Siri AI, HomeKit, AppleCare One Family, Apple Watch improvements, and the apps adopting Apple's new tools.
E866 · 13 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 21 min

866: The Ternus Doctrine

The torch is passed to John Ternus who beings his first Apple event as CEO, espousing a new doctrine of the "intelligent personal hub." Then we dive into all the hardware announcements, iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Series 12, and more.
E865 · 6 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

865: Harvard Professor Teddy Svoronos on AI in the Classroom

Teddy Svoronos returns to the Mac Power Users. Teddy explains how he uses tech to teach at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the challenges of teaching in the age of A.I.
E864 · 30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

864: Marked Safe from Buying M5 Ultra

Apple announced a brand new M6 chip, their first with 2nm process, plus upgraded Mac Studio. Does David regret his recent MacBook Pro purchase? Then we launch into listener feedback, Stephen's second new app, Raycast v2, and more.
E863 · 23 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

863: 20 Years of Things with Werner Jainek

Werner Jainek of Cultured Code on nearly 20 years of Things: implementing Siri AI, building a custom sync engine, and staying independent and unfunded since 2007.
E862 · 16 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

862: Mac Launcher Showdown

We put Spotlight, Raycast, and Alfred head-to-head to find the best launcher on Mac!
E861 · 9 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

861: Stephen Builds a New Task App

In search of the perfect kanban-style project management app, Stephen couldn't find what he was looking for. So, he built his own! We discuss the current landscape of tasks apps, where Kan Do differs, and how it was built.
E860 · 2 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

860: The Friday Incident with Merlin Mann

Merlin Mann returns to Mac Power Users 16 years after being our very first guest to break down the AI system he's built — Codex, "triangulation," 31 cross-indexed data sources, and the infamous "Friday Incident."
E859 · 26 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 26 min

859: Tangential Gadgets

David and Stephen turn the show on themselves: bags, chargers, MagSafe batteries, and fitness trackers. No tangential gadget is left behind.
E858 · 19 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

858: Making Educational Videos for 17 Years with Ian Byrd

Teacher of teachers Ian Byrd returns to share how he's created thousands of videos using an unlikely stack: Keynote for visuals, Descript for editing, and iPad Pro for using AI remotely.
E857 · 12 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 37 min

857: Sparmerica

A stacked feedback mailbag: Siri AI's per-device indexing, a Gmail-to-Siri trick, iOS 27's Extend and Reframe photo tools, subscription fatigue, Wispr Flow dictation, and an automated email robot that resolves Circle support tickets on its own.
E856 · 5 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

856: iOS 27 Beta Features and Siri AI

David bought his MacBook Pro at the *perfect* time, then we discuss Siri AI, iOS 27 beta, and the cultural reception of AI.
E855 · 28 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

855: Federico Viticci Reverse Engineered Shortcuts

Federico Viticci breaks down iOS 27's Shortcuts updates: Describe a Shortcut, Else If, new automation triggers, and built-in data storage. Plus his coder era, Shortcuts Playground 2.0, and training a local model to build shortcuts.
E854 · 21 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

854: Obscure (and Excellent) Mac Apps

Lesser-known Mac apps that deserve way more attention: from AI typing assistants, to hacky Stream Decks, note-taking apps, helpful utilities, and beautiful desktop enhancements.
E853 · 14 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

853: Siri AI and WWDC 2026

Stephen reports live from Apple Park on WWDC 2026: the post-keynote tech talk, Gemini partnership explained, and Siri AI that finally works. Plus shortcuts, photos AI, and more.
E852 · 7 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

852: Designed in California and WWDC Wishlist with Myke Hurley

Myke Hurley joins us to discuss the launch of Designed in California, a new Apple history podcast with Jason Snell. Then we share our hopes for WWDC, what AI features we may see, and more!
E851 · 31 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

851: I Have Contraband

David and Stephen answer listener feedback: rebuilding Apple Home with Aqara power-over-Ethernet cameras, smart scales, raw photo editing, connecting AI to email, off-site backups, the new TRMNL X display, and DEVONthink's MCP server.
E850 · 24 May 2026 · 1 hr 46 min

850: Overcast Transcripts and 48 Mac minis with Marco Arment

Marco Arment joins us to dive deeper on Overcast transcripts, the 48 Mac mini server powering it all, how AI is changing app development, restaurant tech, and more!
E849 · 17 May 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

849: Surviving Your Camera Roll

David and Stephen take on the wide, messy world of Apple photo management, from pruning fifty-thousand-photo libraries to backing up iCloud Photos. They cover Shared Library trade-offs, the cleanup apps worth installing, and more.
E848 · 10 May 2026 · 1 hr 28 min

848: eReaders and Workflows with Jason Snell

Jason Snell joins the show to discuss the state of e-readers, why dedicated reading devices still beat the iPad, Kindle vs Kobo, plus libraries, physical books, note-taking devices, and color e-ink.
E847 · 3 May 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

847: Actually Useful AI Tools

David and Stephen take stock of where AI is actually useful right now. They cover dictation, browsers, agentic workflows, MCP, and Apple Intelligence, plus the real projects each runs today, including email triage and a customer-service robot.
E846 · 26 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 29 min

846: State of Apple Watch 2026

After brief thoughts on John Ternus becoming Apple's next CEO, we dive into the current state of Apple Watch. We explore our setups, faces, complications, apps, and what we hope to see improve.
E845 · 19 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

845: Intentional Technology with Patrick Rhone

Patrick Rhone returns. The gang discusses Apple Silicon rewriting the Mac upgrade cycle, the Apple Refurb Store, and minimalist phones.
E844 · 12 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 25 min

844: Building the Ideal Apple Smart Home

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.
E843 · 5 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

843: Bear and Glass Teaches Keyboard Control

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.
E842 · 29 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 22 min

842: Bribing the Fiber Guy

Stephen and David dig into listener feedback on iCloud security, Dropbox alternatives, AI robot assistants, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, Claude computer control, and more!
E841 · 22 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

841: The Robot Assistant Field Guide

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.
E840 · 15 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 29 min

840: Finder is More Powerful Than You Think

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

About Mac Power Users

Mac Power Users is a English tech & science podcast from Relay. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Relay
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest episode: 4 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id458066753
Website: relay.fm/mpu

RSS feed Apple Podcasts Website

More English tech & science 6

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.