There are two very distinct periods to my year: tax season and not-tax season. The not-tax-season season continues to get more busy, but there’s still quite a drop off from the prior high-stress period of the year. With each passing deadline between April 30th, June 15th, and June 30th, the demands of the season progressively subside. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including the three waves of productivity, tweaking your productivity systems for busy seasons of life, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some tips on using Smart Folders in Notes, the latest version of Reminders, and more. »

We've been testing time tracking apps for the last several months, and are finally ready to declare a winner. There are a lot of options to consider and lots of different approaches, but Timery is the best time tracking app on any platform because it makes starting and stopping your timers a breeze and supports modern iOS features like Shortcuts and widgets better than any other app we tested. »

We gathered and tested the top contenders for best wireless active noise cancelling headphones and have a couple of recommendations depending on your budget and taste. »

Mark is the co-owner of a software company that offers a PHP-based content management system that schedules release of photos and videos, and also converts them between several different formats. »

Sometimes in life you get to choose which area of life you'd like to focus on. And other times, life chooses for you. »

The iPhone 8 Plus is too tried, too tested, and too trusted to be written off as last year’s technology. »

The Model 3 has picked up adoption speed very quickly, but that mean it's the ideal car of the future for anyone who can afford it? »

As the 16-inch MacBook Pro stands, this is basically a perfect professional laptop. A big, wide color P3 display. Four extra-powerful Thunderbolt 3 ports. The best trackpad in the business. And finally, a physical escape key. »

The newest Apple Watch packs a lot of new features and conveniences into a tiny case, while also adding more fit and finish to this high-tech timepiece. »

The iPhone X review, a new "Mail to Things" feature, a tip on sharing workouts from Apple Watch, and more. »

The 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is a giant progression in the Apple portable line, and there are many exciting new features to consider along with the higher price. »

A look at some of our favorite games and utilities for the Apple TV. »

The iPad is a great device for all sorts of work, but an external keyboard can make it even better. »

Welcome! We're here because we enjoy spending an inordinate amount of time and energy to research, test, and find the very best apps. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including our ultimate guide to using Do Not Disturb on iOS and macOS, some advice on using your time and attention, and more. »

My wish for an M1-powered MacBook Pro came true in October 2021, of course. And then some — not only can these new MacBook Pros drive two external displays, they can drive four displays, all while fast-charging, reading and writing directly to SD cards, and more. These new MacBook Pros are indeed dreams come true and I had to have one. »

Josh Ginter is a CPA located in Morden, Manitoba, Canada, where he also serves as the managing editor for The Sweet Setup. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including our brand new simple time management course, a quick review of the Timeular time tracker, and more. »

It’s my education experience that has led me to believe the iPad is the world’s greatest learning tool. Ever. In the history of humanity. The iPad is humankind’s greatest educational achievement. »

It’s that time of year again: I’ve traded in my iPhone for the newest version, played with it, and now I’m here to tell you what I think of the camera on iPhone 12 Pro Max. So, is it a much better camera than my 11 Pro? Yes, and also no. Let me explain, but first I want to address the phone in the room. »

Though the iPhone 12 Pro is the most premium iPhone I've ever held, it's also clear this iPhone is meant to be used. It's been a fun weekend watching my wife discover new ways to use her iPhone. »

Both the AirPods Pro and the Powerbeats Pro are amazing pieces of gear in their own regard, but it ultimately comes down to what your everyday needs are. My search for wireless headphones that were not over-the-ear came down to two contenders: the AirPods Pro and the Powerbeats Pro. After browsing a handful of articles and watching a video or two, I knew I was going to need to try them for myself. So I got both. »

Catch up on what we published this past week, as well as a couple of interesting posts and announcements that some of our friends made this week. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a guide on using Day One for gratitude posts, app updates and news, and other notable links. »

Darkroom for iOS 13 and iPadOS continues the app’s assault up the list of photo editors for Apple’s mobile devices. »

A quick look at some great iPhone XS and XS Max cases. »

Safari allows you to test the responsiveness of your website by showing you how it will display on different sized devices. »

Todoist is a productivity app makes managing your tasks and projects easy. And because it’s web-based, it also allows you to access your to-do list from just about anywhere. »

The best time-tracking solution for freelancers, a reader's iOS setup, a tip on rolling back from iOS 10 betas, and more. »

Steve Goslin is a Solution Delivery Manager at Dynamit, where he works on awesome projects in the Columbus, Ohio area. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an update to our review of the best GTD suite of apps for macOS and iOS/iPadOS, as well as some great reading materials from our friends. »

The more folks push to work from home and the more we switch our time to working at a desk, the more important our desk workspace becomes. Every industry is like this! If you’re a carpenter, your truck, trailer, and tools matter. If you’re a painter, your brushes and paint choices matter. If you’re a developer, designer, or knowledge worker, your workspace matters. »

Before embarking on this journey of creating the Ultimate Notion Habit Tracker, I did some research. There have been some great updates to Notion semi-recently (such as repeating tasks, templates, and improved buttons), and I wanted to take full advantage of them. I also looked around the internet to see what was out there and saw lots of great templates, including Notion’s own Habit Tracking template. »

In this article, I am going to go over how to create a wishlist and how to share it with others, which can be a bit more complicated and nuanced than you would think. »

In one short swoop, the AirPods Max have nicely fixed my Madhouse distraction-maximalist home and my late evening television entertainment needs. I can now drown out most of the chaos swirling around when it’s time to work and I can enjoy a new level of audio when watching my favorite Disney+ shows. »

For ages, I insisted on using native Microsoft Office apps on the Mac. I put up with the native app shortcomings and accepted native Mac apps were always going to be afterthoughts to Office apps for Windows. And for ages, I resisted the urge to load up Parallels on the Mac and play in the Frankenstein-Windows-on-a-Mac playground. »

Color me geeky, but the feature I’ve been most excited for after Apple’s 2021 WWDC keynote has been Quick Notes. I’m not even a Notes user (or at least I wasn’t). Nor has the Notes feature-set ever been one that feels fulfilling to me. »

A cool-looking physical object that can add a bit of whimsy to your time tracking workflow. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a great workflow on using Shortcuts and app launchers to automagically track your time, an update to our review of the best time tracking app, an upcoming webinar, and more. »

In the past year, you’ve probably spent a lot of time you spend in virtual meetings. Even if you aren’t live streaming on Twitch, hosting a YouTube channel, or presenting webinars very often, improving your video can go a long way in making your online communication more effective. And if you already have a nice […] »

I've been going to school for 10 years. It's been a long, long road, full of all sorts of amazing lessons, few of which have anything to do with the actual content I'm studying. These 10 years of school have been a testament to the "The journey is the destination" mentality. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a Plan Your Year workshop announcement, a look at using Roam Research as a GTD-style system, and more. »

As a self-proclaimed productivity nut, I’ve been using some version of the Getting Things Done (or GTD) task management methodology for many years. I’ve also been experimenting recently with Roam Research, and am intrigued by the app’s ability to tie everything together. I’ve tried to do this before and it’s failed miserably, so I was […] »

After two full months with the new email service, I’ve found myself settling into new email habits I never expected to form. Some of these habits are great (like checking The Feed only once or twice a week) while others are still forming, evolving, and restarting (such as how to handle emails I want to read, don’t want to miss, yet don’t need to keep for later or reply later). HEY’s consistent updates since debut have been met with much acclaim in my book. »

Unfold’s templates verge on being extra-curated, but there are a range of templates that are simple, elegant, and precise, showcasing your photography in an attractive way. »

Our accounting office is right next to a Telus store full of Android and Windows fanatics. I haven’t been able to get any person in the store to even consider an iPhone or Mac for themselves, let alone convince them the iPad is a great business device. The Magic Keyboard is the first accessory that […] »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a new review on the best calendar apps for iPad, a look at a new app for monitoring and cleaning your Mac, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including all new reviews of the best calendar apps for Mac, iPhone, and Apple Watch, some tips on automating your calendar, and more. »

Fantastical just got a HUGE update to version 3. There's a ton that's new here, including a more polished user interface, improved scheduling tools, and an updated pricing model. »

The Twelve South HiRise Pro and BackPack are great accessories for cleaning up the desk around your iMac and for pushing your iMac to new ergonomic heights. »

The iPhone 11 Pro is no mere iteration. This has been one of the biggest year-over-year jumps the iPhone has made in years. »

The Bellroy System Work Bag is a stylish and functional messenger bag that delivers on both form and factor with the same level of quality as other Bellroy goods. »

iPadOS brings a lot of welcome updates to the gestures we use for copy, paste, selecting text, and much more. »

Flighty is a brand new app designed to take at least some of the stress out of the airport. »

Soulver 3 a compelling calculator for off-the-cuff and brainstorming-style math. »

Reeder 4 doesn’t rewrite the playbook that made it one of the premier RSS apps for every Apple platform, but it introduces a few niceties, like smoother and more friendly animations, a refreshed and more consistent code base across iOS and macOS, a new native Read Later feature, and Bionic Reading support. »

Jeffrey Abbott is the Senior Editor at The Sweet Setup, but works as a project manager by day and contributes to The Pen Addict as well. »

The latest iteration of Apple's industry-leading notebook provides the latest MacBook features to the masses in a familiar size and price. »

With this iOS-specific workflow, Curtis takes us through a detailed workflow for editing and publishing video with an iPad and an app called LumaFusion. »

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and portable web development platform, and iPad combined with some stellar apps and an account with Digital Ocean is a great place to start. »

The iPhone XS and XS Max offer a range of improvements over the previous generation iPhone X, including a new screen size, battery improvements, and major camera improvements. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a new app review, a new time management course, a look at Shortcuts, and more. »

Stefan Elf is a freelance web developer, designer, and lecturer working in Sweden. »

In a significant update to Things 3, Cultured Code has added deep linking features that allow for new levels of automation and workflows for Things on iPhone and iPad. In this guide we will cover all the ways you can use these Things iOS Workflows to your advantage, plus we've got several examples and downloads for you. »

Toomas Särev is a cardiologist, leader, husband, dad of 5, granddad of 2, first-degree black belt in Traditional Korean Martial Arts (Kuk Sool Won), Harley Davidson motorbike enthusiast, Apple Gadgets lover, and productivity geek. »

The best flashcard study app, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on removing old 1Password backups, and more. »

A review of the best flashcard app, a reader's Mac and iPhone setup, a tip on using Runkeeper to track your shoe usage, and more. »

Over the summer, a lot of us like to “test” the iOS betas. This summer is no different. With betas of iOS 10 out currently, it’s always fun to test out the latest and greatest. What’s not fun is regretting it. I tried the iOS 10 beta for a few days, but I realized that […] »

The best GIF keyboard for iOS from last week, a reader's iPhone setup, a tip on using iOS Notes.app, and more. »

Jeroen Laven is a student living in Utrecht where he is working on his masters in Contemporary Art, and he also writes a blog called Visuology. »

Bobály Mihály runs a small digital agency (named after his online nickname: JabJab) where they create pay-per-click campaigns and offer digital analytics services to clients. »

Ryan Cash is the founder of Snowman, an app development studio in Toronto best known for Alto's Adventure. »

With school starting back up, it's a great time to re-evaluate your setup and tools. Here are some of our favorite apps and devices to power through those long days of class and long nights of homework. »

Dave Seah is probably best known as a designer of paper-based productivity tools such as The Emergent Task Planner, and also develops interactive software for installation-based learning applications. »

Sebastian Green runs a small division of an IT Support company in Manchester (UK) that mainly focuses on web-based systems. »

Here is a running list of our personal favorite apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The are the apps we, The Sweet Setup staff, use day in and day out for work and play. »

Alex Arena is an undergraduate CS student at ASU, and an instructor for the Tuts+ network. »

At its core, accessibility is about access — hence, iOS's accessibility options are tools with which users, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, are better able to access their devices. »

There's an App Santa promotion running, and several of our favorite iOS developers have put their apps on sale for the holidays. Here are a few apps we heartily recommend, even when they're not on sale. »

Having a super-detailed email folder structure used to be a big thing. But over the years, it seems like it has calmed down a bit. Some of you may have been taught that you should keep all your messages in individual, organized, folders. Such as storing all correspondence from your accountant in a specific folder, […] »

Throughout the years and after countless experiments, I’ve discovered how I work best. This best version doesn’t involve the sexiest setup. It doesn’t involve the nicest mechanical keyboard or the most expensive camera. This version of “work best” is defined more as “more productive” than “more creative.” »

There are pretty much only two ways to plan your week: Show up on Monday and find out what happens. Purposefully plan what you actually want and need to do. Which do you think is more effective? Yeah. That’s why I decided to create The Perfect Week Plan, live-online workshop. This is a brand-new training […] »

When we hear the word “Productivity,” we all picture something a little bit different. Some people simply think “getting things done,” while others immediately start thinking about the seven different apps they use to be productivity. »

I’m Mike Schmitz, a full-time creator with a YouTube channel, multiple podcasts (Bookworm and Focused), and a frequent contributor here at The Sweet Setup. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an updated Notion Habit Tracker for 2024, updated reviews of the best calendar apps for Mac and iPhone, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an update to our review of the best calendar app for macOS, an in-depth comparison of the latest version of Bear and how it stacks up to Apple Notes, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an update to our review of the best calendar app for iPhone, some great information on picking a planner that fits your style and needs, and more. »

In this article we are going to tackle the criteria for a good planner. We’re also going to give you some of our favorite planners to recommend and what makes them so great (for both physical and digital planners). »

Through happenstance, I accidentally discovered the ability to time-block my day using simple drag-and-drop between Things and Fantastical on the Mac. »

We share our best tips and templates for getting started with Notion and also cover the basic elements and common use cases for getting the most out of it. »

It was nearly a year ago that I first wrote about Raycast here on The Sweet Setup, and few apps have seemed to gain as much momentum in recent years in the Mac enthusiast crowd than this new app launcher. In fact, I don't think I've seen this many Mac nerds change their app launcher since 2010 when Alfred first hit the scene. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some tips on using Notion's new Button shortcuts, a Shortcuts app for Obsidian, lots of WWDC news, and more. »

I love me some Obsidian, but one of Obsidian's weak spots has always been it's Shortcuts support (or lack thereof). That's where Actions for Obsidian comes in. »

Today we're going to look at some more down-to-earth ways that text and image generators can be used today to accomplish useful tasks. »

Quick wins are rarely the elements of a long-term strategy. If you search for quick wins, you’ll find them. But they won’t add up to anything substantial over time. Instead, focus on being consistent with smaller actions you can stick with over a long period of time. Here’s why… The two types of goals (and […] »

Today is December 30, which means two things: #1. You only have until midnight tonight to get The Personal Retreat Workshop + My Proven Productivity Templates Pack as a free bonus when you join Focus Academy. Focus Academy will give you the perfect plan for recharging and staying fresh throughout the year so you can […] »

Setting goals (especially the right goals) is a critical ingredient for unlocking more focus in your life. »

The new Focus Pathways are part of the Focus Accelerator membership. Each Focus Pathway brings together the curated course lessons and resources you need to tackle the specific challenge you’re facing or skill you want to master. »

With so many excellent task management apps to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is the best fit. We've compared the top three productivity apps to help you decide. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at using Alfred to launch and hide apps with hotkeys, some iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch reviews from our friends, and more. »

Web browsers have felt pretty stable for quite a while now. Most people use Chrome or Safari these days, and with good reason! After decades of competing web browsers, a lot of the interactions and design elements have normalized around basically the same thing everywhere. Arc is here to make some changes. »

The Opal C1 tries to give you the best of both worlds: DSLR-like quality without the complexity at a fraction of the price. »

Today, we're going to walk through the basic things you need to know when shopping for mechanical keyboards. »

I had heard of the Light Phone before and was intrigued by the idea, but I write so much about iOS apps that I just couldn’t justify making the switch. But recently, my son turned 13 and we needed a way to stay in contact with him so he could reach us in case of […] »

In this video, we're going to expound on the foundation of task management basics and show you how to create queries that allow you to look through your entire Obsidian vault and return only the tasks that meet certain criteria. »

While there are lots of apps doing lots of interesting things with notes right now, by far the two most popular options are Roam Research and Obsidian. In this article, we're going to compare these two connected note-takers and help you choose the right one. »

If you have a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, 2022 is going to be fun. Here are a few apps we recommend installing on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone to kick off the 2022 year with the best foot forward. »

How did I find success in turning my 2021 New Year’s resolutions into habits? A combination of resolution adjustments, self forgiveness, stricter scheduling, and a few handy apps for good measure. Here’s how I did it. »

I love asking myself, and others, this question: As you begin looking toward the next year, have you considered what you are NOT going to do? »

This is how I’ve set up my Ulysses app to fit my various writing adventures. I’ve worked to keep it simple and dumbed-down. This ensures it doesn’t require a lot of mental overhead to keep organized, and it ensures my brain is on the writing rather than the meta. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Josh Ginter's work setup, using Todoist with Things, and more. »

Obsidian has some basic support for tasks built in. But if you rely on notifications for when to do what, then you're going to need a dedicated task manager. Fortunately, there's a Todoist plugin for Obsidian that allows you to have the best of both worlds — you can capture tasks into Todoist directly and get notified on your devices when it's time to do a task, but you can also embed those tasks into an Obsidian document so you can associate them with a particular project. In this video, I'm going to show you how to use the Todoist Sync community plugin to embed tasks using Todoist's filters in Obsidian. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at collaboration methods in Craft, using Drafts to quickly capture things for Obsidian, and some interesting links. »

Autumn means new iPhones, but it also means new iOS and iPadOS drops. With a push of a button in Cupertino, your year-old iPhone and iPad can feel brand new again. And though many are touting this year’s iOS and iPadOS updates as relatively iterative, there are certain features that are sure to be daily-use features in the months to come. »

Here are my first impressions of time blocking, some app and workflow anecdotes, and how I think I can create a cool productivity cycle in my life. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a workflow on how to connect and transclude notes in Obsidian, a detailed look at how Quick Notes work in today's betas of iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey, plus some extra goodies. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a new quiz for finding the right task manager for your needs, a nerdy how-to for appending text to Daily Notes in Obsidian using Drafts on iOS, and more. »

Here at The Sweet Setup, we have been finding, testing, using, reviewing, and picking the best apps since 2013. And there are certain app picks that require a bit of nuance to be considered the best, such as email apps, note-taking apps, and task management apps… For these categories, there are many excellent options, and different […] »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some tips on time management, some interesting links, and more. »

The perfect way for anyone new to mechanical keyboards to get their feet wet a little. »

We all want to get things done. We all wish we could be just a little more productive. Our specific reasons may vary, but we are all motivated to solve a common problem: We never seem to have enough time for the things that are truly important. Today we’re going to look at two very […] »

Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) is all the rage. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your PKM and do your best creative work. »

Catch up on what we published this week and last, including an interesting workflow for capturing ideas, using the iPad for education, an update to Streaks, and more. »

Tiffany White a software engineer from Swatara Township, PA. »

Regardless of the tool you decide to use, journaling is a worthwhile habit to establish as we leave this year and get ready for the next one. »

Learning guitar is challenging and a lot of fun, but hand-written music sheets make the learning process easier and more permanent. »

Among the many enhancements in iOS 14, Apple included a number of audio-specific features that we’ve now had an opportunity to spend some time with in daily use. »

In the midst of the craziness that is 2020, here are a few things for which we're grateful. »

16 overlapping coils gives you freedom of wireless charging placement for up to two devices. »

iPads and iPhones have long had more power housed in their tiny, fanless bodies than most people have been able to truly grasp. In the last few years, Apple’s A-class chips in the iPad have even outpaced the chips found inside Apple’s Intel-based Macs, allowing for a glimpse into the future of what an Apple-chip-enabled Mac could do. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some news on Apple's new line of M1 Macs, our new Focus Course Digital Planner, productivity tips, and more. »

The hard truth about focus and overcoming the fear of missing out. What are you actively choose to do, or more importantly, NOT do? »

Things makes it trivial to delete, move, and put off ideas that either don't excite me or don't make me a better writer/contributor. »

Today's iPhone 12 lineup announcements are a much more significant jump forward than I ever expected. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including our own summary of Apple's 2020 September Event, summaries from several of our friends, and more. »

We've created a nifty quiz to help you determine which email app is best for you. »

My first impression of Roam Research was that it was a perfect solution for long-term research, providing a large, traceable solution for tracking thoughts, topics, and connections between topics. »

ig news today from the team at MacPaw, who just launched support for iOS apps inside of their popular Mac software subscription service, SetApp. »

Roam is a masterful tool for creating your own rabbit holes. My biggest concern is whether the creation of these rabbit holes is creation for the sake of creation, or if an actual discovery or connection will be found as we go. Only time will tell. »

Focusrite's Scarlett Solois a super simple USB audio interface for getting studio-quality recordings at home. Whether you're a musician, podcaster, vlogger, voice actor, voice-over artist, or have any other high-performance recording needs, it's a reliable and intuitive piece of hardware that always captures clear, detailed audio. »

Each year, the tech experts advise all bleeding edge iPhone and iPad users to stay away from beta software. Developer betas — especially iOS 13 — were particularly buggy, and the iOS 13 public beta wasn't notably better. Of all years to put a bad beta taste in your mouth, 2019 should have done the trick. »

Ulysses 20 is a significant release, bringing both a grammar checking system and a major sidebar redesign to our favorite writing app. »

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get Ulysses set up for collaboration with others using a version control system known as Git, as well as a companion app for working with Git on iOS/iPadOS called Working Copy. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Shawn's minimal iPhone screen, our thoughts on HEY email, and more. »

HEY has disrupted nearly every element of my email workflow. HEY has allowed me to experience a new level of email productivity, and it has even created a new sense of zen-like Inbox Zero in my Imbox, without archiving, deleting, or snoozing. »

Jonathan Pulley is a Senior Consultant for a software company specializing in data analytics, data warehousing, and business intelligence, and he also dabbles in photography and gaming. »

It's fun for me to find new and better ways to do things - especially if it involves Apple-branded technology. I love trying new apps and making my devices dance. But with everything going on in the world the last couple of months, I've also found it to be especially difficult to navigate emotionally, which is a big reason why I’ve started doing a lot more with pen and paper. »

Once every couple years, I find myself doing a deep clean of the apps on my iPhone and iPad. 2020 drew the short straw — in so many ways — and I've spent the better part of the last three months questioning each app on my home screen. »

This interview is one of the many bonus interviews included in our new course, Simple Habits. The course is 25% off until Friday, May 29th. Your name and a short bio / info about you I’m Mike Schmitz, Executive Editor here at The Sweet Setup. I live in Wisconsin with my wife and have five […] »

Pixelmator Photo’s latest update brought the power of Pixelmator Pro’s ML Match Colors from the Mac to the iPad, promising the ability to match the color palettes between sets of photos. ML Match Colors is wonderfully implemented, quickly performed, and easy to use. It promises to use all the powers of the iPad. »

Here's Blanc Media's work-from-home setups, complete with a list of the main items in each setup. If you're anything like us, you're sure to be curious about a few of the coffee cups gracing these tables. »

If your family is like ours, you have just been thrust into the world of managing your children’s education from home. When you normally work from home, this can make everything a little more challenging! »

Today, TunnelBear becomes our pick for the best VPN solution for iOS and macOS. TunnelBear offers great speed (not the fastest, but certainly not the slowest), a free 500MB data tier, a reasonable pricing structure, a great connection and setup process, and an overall great experience. »

After spending the better part of a month with the EOS R and the RF 35mm ƒ/1.8 IS STM Macro lens, I have some impressions on what it’s like to move from 2016 camera technology to 2018 camera technology, as well as some thoughts on the significant mindset change when flipping from the Fuji X-T2 to the EOS R. »

How a mind map can save you time, energy, and anxiety when it comes to writing, creating, planning, and more. »

As it turns out, Microsoft To Do may end up being the single biggest surprise in our jump to Office 365. Having all your tasks in one place, scattered in from Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS — and being able to nicely integrate your dreaded email list with your task list — could be a game changer for anyone wanting to use a Mac yet required to use a PC. »

Despite the massive year-over-year improvements in battery life of the latest iPhones (all three, the 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max), there are still those who somehow find a way to crush their battery on a daily or semi-daily basis. »

A look at how Mike Schmitz uses hardware and software to play his guitar through an iPad Pro. »

In this Mindfulness Monday post, we talk to author and speaker Chris Bailey about how he uses forced constraints to stay conscious of how he spends his time. »

Aside from what you are actually going to write, the next question to answer is what tool will you use? »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a reader's MacBook Pro setup, some tips on taking really tall portrait photos with your iPhone, and more. »

In this Mindfulness Monday post, we take a look at Duolingo and why you might want to use it to apply intentionality to your downtime on your iPhone. »

This time of year is always fun — the leaves are changing colors, sweaters are busting out of the closet, and apps are being updated for the latest version of iOS. This year, Things 3, our favorite todo app, has been updated to include a wide variety of improvements to take advantage of all the new […] »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a mindfulness post on changing your defaults, using new gestures in iPadOS, and more. »

Apple has made health a commitment over the last few years. In the latest iOS and watchOS there are a whole host of features which you can use to keep on top of your health, including several things new in watchOS 6 and iOS 13. »

I’ve spent the last week or so switching things back to Apple’s stock apps from the best third-party apps in the industry, and I’m going to give them a shot for as long as I can. Here are a range of initial impressions and frustrations in making the switch. »

QR codes are everywhere nowadays, from rental bikes to trains, posters, and more. Once upon a time in iOS, you had to download and open an app to scan a QR code, but a few years ago Apple integrated it into the camera app to make life easier for all of us! »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at alternative window managers for macOS, some great tips on using TextExpander like a pro, and more. »

TextExpander is a very popular application that helps you avoid typing repetitive bits of text, but most people I know don't take advantage of a few of its more powerful features: fill-ins and dates. »

As you may know, earlier this week we released our brand-new course that is all about GoodNotes. And the launch-week discount is ending later tonight, btw. The response to the new course has been amazing. A huge thanks to all of our readers who signed up for the course. I’ve been hearing from folks who […] »

From iPad keyboards, Microsoft keyboards, and mechanical keyboards with nothing more than the necessary QWERTY keys, you’re bound to find a great writing/mathematical/development/email-specializing keyboard in this bunch. »

Excel on the iPad is a competent spreadsheet application, and if your needs are simple or you just plan on making edits to spreadsheets you created on macOS or Windows, then you’ll likely really enjoy this app. »

Day One (our favorite journaling app) just received a major update to version 4.0. There’s a couple big features in this release, but the big one is support for videos in your Day One entries. The ability to add video to Day One is a game changer for parents like myself who record small video […] »

iPads and pointing devices have never coexisted before, so we've taken a close look at how this new input works on the latest public beta of iPadOS. »

The new version of Shortcuts in iOS 13 iPadOS will be publicly released in September, and we are incredibly excited for that milestone based on what we've seen so far! »

iPadOS isn't ready for prime-time at this point, but it’s already safe to say that September will usher in a new age for the iPad. »

Shelf apps have evolved as a category over the past couple of years, and we look at how to use Gladys to quickly transfer files between iOS and macOS. »

Jack Bishop is an Aerospace Software Engineer, iOS Developer, and just finished studying part time for a degree in Software Engineering. »

As I type this, I’m en route to WWDC 2019. Here’s a look at the bag I’m bringing and the gear inside. »

Josh Ginter takes a detailed look at Keep It and how to use it for research, keeping notes, and augmenting your brain as you learn about new subjects. »

Here is our breakdown of what differentiates the two applications, and the major features which define not only the two apps, but the category of note-taking apps as a whole. »

No matter your need for an external display, be it to extend your Mac’s display on the go, to act as an extra display on your desktop, or to act as a display for your headless Mac, Air Display and the Luna Display dongle will have you covered. »

This week we're looking at the Reeder 4 Beta, Drafts for Mac, and MLB at Bat. »

The renowned Flexibits natural language parser is now available in Cardhop for iOS, making finding, editing, and creating new contacts a breeze. »

With Ulysses at the center of your writing workflow, these example Shortcuts are sure to improve your efficiency and focus. »

Alex Tai is a student at Santa Clara University where he studies Computer Engineering and collaborates with others on ideas and new technologies. »

What appears to be a relatively simple workflow to capture ideas and publish blog posts is actually a super in-depth, super geeky way of using Shortcuts, Ulysses, and Working Copy — one that brings out the power of automation on iOS. »

Catch up on what we published this week and last, including some tips on making the most of your trips to the Apple Store, a roundup of great apps we're trying, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a tip on using systems to accomplish goals, some functionality updates to Obscura, and more. »

The latest battery case from Apple significantly increases battery life and provides additional protection for your iPhone. »

Josh Ginter is the Editor-in-Chief here at The Sweet Setup and also works as an accountant at a small accounting firm and is constantly working away at completing his CPA designation in the evenings. »

There are many apps that grace the Mac and iOS App Stores that simply don’t get enough attention or admiration. Sometimes an app is so good at what it does, it becomes the default app for the task and is rarely questioned. Sometimes a new app debuts in a given category and, while it shows […] »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a Mac setup, a tip on customizing your Apple Watch Control Center, and more. »

Erin Brooks takes a detailed look at the new Darkroom app for iPad and compares it to other leading photo editing apps. »

The new iPad Pro seems to have struck a touchy chord since its debut three weeks ago, and the reason is probably twofold. First, Apple’s marketing campaign comparing it against standard PCs invites unnecessary criticisms and unrelated comparisons. And second, there seems to be a wide range of unrealistic expectations. I really like how Jason […] »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a detailed workflow of editing and publishing video with and iPad, some tips on using Apple Configurator 2, and some great link material. »

The combination of Reminders and the Apple Watch is one of the easiest ways to capture text on almost any Apple device, and with the right shortcuts, you can send that information anywhere you want. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some great workflows for using 1Password with your Apple Watch, a tip on customizing Airmail, and more. »

There are millions of apps to try out on any given day, and this week we're trying Chirp, Better Day, and Pantone Studio. »

With macOS Mojave, the Finder gets an update with several new features that make life easier and more powerful for Mac users. »

Halide 1.9 can now be used on the new iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and Xr, and the new Siri Shortcuts support will be great for shooting when your iPhone is mounted to a tripod. »

Packed full with Screen Time data features for better tracking of how you use your device, speed improvements for older iPhones dating back to the iPhone 5s generation, grouped notifications, Siri Shortcuts, and more. »

In version 3.7 of Cultured Code’s task management app, Things has added support for deep Shortcuts capabilities alongside the release of Siri Shortcuts with iOS 12, as well as landscape support for the iPhone app. »

Shawn and Josh discuss their favorite photo editing apps for iOS. The apps range from VSCO to Snapseed to Lightroom CC. »

Parallels 14 debuts with optimized storage, Touch bar support, Mojave support and a range of other features for IT professionals and casual users. »

Lawrence Gimenez is a mobile developer based in Cebu City, Philippines, and he works on both iOS and Android apps. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at some of the apps that work with Apple's new Shortcuts app, a tip on using Zones in the Home app, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including three apps we are trying out, a review of a smart light switch, and more. »

The Lutron Caseta dimmer switch is a cost-effective way to bring older homes into 2018 with HomeKit. »

Basecamp is full of small, delightful touches that make it clear just how passionate its creators are about helping people not only with being productive, but with creating healthy workflows. »

Shortcuts is now available in the iOS beta program, and we take our first look at what this new automation app offers in this early stage. »

We updated our pick for the best Reddit client for iOS this week, and Chris has all the details. »

This week, we're trying out When.Works, Microsoft News for iPad, and Adobe Lightroom CC for iPad. »

This week, we're taking Spark 2, Edit, and Squaready Pro for a spin. »

Combining the power of Zapier with Things opens up limitless input possibilities for automating new tasks in Things. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including announcements around iOS, macOS, and watchOS, a detailed workflow on using Ulysses for research, a tip on prioritizing your network connections, and more. »

Right on the heels of the iOS 12 announcements, here's a list of the features we're most excited about in macOS 10.14: Mojave. »

What it's like to own a single omnidirectional Siri-based AirPlay speaker for the house. »

Last week, Red Sweater Software updated widely-loved MarsEdit to version 4.0. »

Today, the folks at Cultured Code released an update to Things that allows you to send emails to your Inbox. »

As is our annual tradition, we like to select a handful of apps and services to help you get through the season with your sanity intact. »

iOS 11 introduced augmented reality support, and we've spent some time trying out the most popular ones. »

A review of the new iPhone 8 Plus, an update to our Darkroom review, a tip on using app launchers, and more. »

Aaron Bielert is the founder and Network President of Sparkk TV — an original WebSeries TV network. »

Dan Leech is a systems designer for a healthcare research company based in Bath, UK where he performs research and creates new software and processes that make delivery of medicines to patients safer, more efficient, and more affordable. »

Shana Russell is a Campus Technology Specialist for a private school organization in Houston, and also writes her own blogs and dabbles in app development. »

Gordon McLean is a business analyst by day, and a writer, blogger, and novelist by night. »

Using Zapier, you can automatically send starred Slack messages to your Todoist inbox. »

Stephen Biggerstaff is a freelance iOS developer based out of Glasgow, Scotland. »

The best Pinboard app for iPhone, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a workflow for using Perspectives in OmniFocus, and more. »

An update to the Pinboard app review, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using Siri and Reminders, and more. »

Our favorite location-logging app for iPhone, a reader's Mac, iOS, and Watch setup, a tip about using Apple Pay, and more. »

The best location-logging app for iPhone, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using Reminders, an update to Overcast, and more. »

The best simple list-making app for iOS and Mac, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using stickers, and more. »

A new pick for the best simple to-do list app for iOS and macOS, a tip on restoring files to iCloud Drive, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, and more. »

Jose Joaquin Torcida Fernandez is a commercial technician and freelance graphic and web designer in Alcala de Henares, where he lives with his wife. »

The best iPhone 7 cases, a reader's Mac and iPhone setup, some holiday tech tips, and more. »

Still not using a password manager? Try Secrets today for Free on the App Store. »

The best app for annotating images in iOS, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on optimizing storage in macOS Sierra, and more. »

The best markup app for iOS, a Tools & Toys editor's setup, a tip on creating PDFs with macOS, and more. »

The best iOS app for annotating images, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, some tips on getting the most out of Scanbot, and more. »

The best sports news and scores app, a reader's Mac and iPhone setup, a tip on using Airmail for OS X, and more. »

The best sports scores and news app for iOS, a reader's Mac setup, a tip on using Deliveries, and more. »

The best photo editing app for iPhone, our chief editor's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on customizing mail notifications, and more. »

The best time-tracking solution for freelancers, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using Droplr, and more. »

The best news aggregation app for iOS, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using Spotify with Runkeeper, and more. »

The best news aggregation service for iOS, a reader's mobile Mac and iOS setup, a tip on using Google Photos, and more. »

Adrian Thomas is a Brit living in Munich, Germany where he works as a product manager at equinux making apps and gadgets for Mac, iOS, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. »

Summer’s in full swing here in the US, and whether you're trying to make memories while traveling, enjoying food and drink with loved ones, or even if you just need ways to pass the time, we've got some app and gear suggestions that may help you out. »

Paul Williams is a Manager of Student Administration at the University of South Australia where he manages 6 teams spread over metro and regional South Australia. »

MailButler - your personal assistant for Apple Mail​ »

Our review from last week of the best GIF keyboard for iPhone, a reader's college setup, a tip for using iTunes, and more. »

The best GIF keyboard for iPhone, a reader's iPhone and iPad Pro setup, a tip on using TextExpander, and more. »

Troy Patterson works in translational science for an oncology drug discovery company, writes his own site, has written for ESPN and The Hardballtimes, and also covers Everton FC news for Royal Blue Mersey on the SB Nation network. »

Kyle Plattner works as a developer with a team in Central Illinois developing an iPad app that maps real-time field data for farmers called FieldView Cab. »

A review we published last week, a tip on using Narwhal, a reader's setup, and more. »

The best Reddit app for iOS, a reader's setup, a tip on using Narwhal, and more. »

Here are a few things to help you get the most out of your Spring Break vacation. »

The best general-purpose weather app for iPhone, a tip for adding attachments to emails from Dropbox, a reader's setup, and more. »

Tommaso Nervegna is a Milan-based Digital Solution Architect for Accenture, and is also an avid traveler, builds drones, takes pictures, and writes his own site. »

Unlike iPhone cases, I love iPhone docks. With the amount I use my iPhone, resting it in a proper, elegant throne at the end of the day only seems fair. It’s more than just aesthetics to me. When I turn over at 3:00AM as a half-zombie to check how much longer I can sleep, it’s […] »

Danny Ngan is an art producer at Glu Mobile, and also a freelance photographer in the Seattle area. »

Brandon Green is a product manager by day and a songwriter/producer by night, and lives in mellow (but surprisingly fun) Salem, MA »

Nadeem Vaidya practices medicine as an ophthalmologist specializing in surgeries of the retina and vitreous, and operates his own practice in Irvine, California. »

Our favorite note-taking app for iOS, a setup interview of an Apple Consulting team, a tip on using Fantastical, and more. »

iPhone cases: You either can’t live with them or you can’t live without them. For the longest time, I was one of those people in the first camp. I’ve always despised iPhone cases. Loathed them, even. I don’t minded wallet-equipped iPhone sleeves because I can take the phone out of them with relative ease when […] »

Andreas Zeitler is a video producer focusing on introduction videos, iOS App Previews, and motion graphics with his company, zCasting 3000. »

A reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on Dropbox and podcast listening, and more. »

Tweetbot 4 brings a much-anticipated new look to the best Twitter client for iPad users. »

iOS 9 is available today, and we've covered nine of our favorite new features of the new version. »

Our favorite writing app and keyboard for iPad, a tip about Apple Watch Audio Messages, and much more. »

Steven Taylor runs a creative agency in Macclesfield, UK called adomedia where they do everything from branding and web apps to traditional design services. »

Thomas Mathoi is a freelance project manager, creator of software, father, and husband. »

Today, The Omni Group has released a big version of their iOS app, that adds a dark color palette, the ability to swipe on a task to flag it, and responsive push syncing. »

A reader's iOS setup from Moscow, a tip about your Health.app data, and more. »

Pushpin received a big update that includes some helpful features and plenty of smaller, delightful updates. »

Chris Brakebill is a web and mobile developer who is currently working on an app called Outshape, and also sends the Three Things Weekly newsletter. »

Benjamin Mikiten is a developer and designer in Austin, Texas who works at McGarrah Jessee with some really cool clients. »

Mike Dicken's is a software developer and project manager from Arlington, VA, but is currently traveling the world with his wife. »

Blake Cloutier is a fourth year Civil Engineering student, a Player Support Representative with Disney Interactive, and also works remotely for an animal supply company. »

Brian Hamilton is a film student living in Boston, MA, works as a videographer for a local business school, and also does freelance writing, photography, and podcasts. »

An ergonomic setup, a tip on hard disk partitions, and much more. »

Virginia is a full-time dating coach, and a freelance worker in many other areas. »

We put together a list of our favorite timer apps for the iPhone, which range from general timers, coffee timers, and cooking timers. »

Andy Croll is a designer and Ruby developer based in Brighton, UK currently working remotely as a Senior Engineer at a travel company called HouseTrip. »

Álvaro Serrano is the author and publisher of Analog Senses, a website about the human side of technology featuring links and articles on design, photography, Apple, and the tech industry in general. »

Brad Dowdy is a husband and father, and a pen addict and business owner that specializes in high-quality pen cases. »

OmniFocus 2 is our favorite suite of apps for GTD and productivity. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it. »

Our favorite document scanning app for iOS, a tip on viewing desktop sites on your iPhone, a nice setup, and a lot of awesome-ness from Tools & Toys. »

Our favorite Mac app for budgeting and finances, a tip for iOS, and a sweet setup interview. »

The best VPN solution for OS X and iOS, a great tip for launching Flash URLs in Chrome from Safari, a standing setup, and more. »

The best RSS app for iPad, a great sale on productivity apps, a quick tip, and a setup. »

David Barnard is the founder of Contrast, the makers of Launch Center Pro. »

Nik Fletcher is a part of the Realmac Software team in Brighton, England who make Clear, Ember, and more. »

Jason Snell is the editorial director at IDG Consumer, which includes Macworld, PCWorld, TechHive, and Greenbot, and also co-hosts The Incomparable podcast. »

Bring back the pre-Mavericks power button behavior with a quick Terminal command. »

Preshit Deorukhkar is the founder and editor-in-chief of Beautiful Pixels, and also founded Homescreen.me and Smoking Apples. »

Shawn is the editor-in-chief of The Sweet Setup and Tools & Toys. He also does a lot of writing and podcasting on his weblog, shawnblanc.net »

A look at our most popular apps, a tip on using 2-step verification, a sweet setup interview, and more. »

Create and send great looking email campaigns with Direct Mail, an easy-to-use, fully-featured email marketing app for OS X. »

Our pick for the best Pinboard app, a tip for using Tweetbot instead of RSS, an awesome interview, and more. »

Quick links to the articles and reviews we published this week. »

Here are a few updates, deals, and new apps worth talking about. Including a sale on Day One, a new podcast client, and more. »

It has been two weeks since we launched the site. Here are some highlights of what's been recently published. »

Matt Gemmell is a consultant user experience designer and software engineer, mostly for iOS apps. He's also a speaker and writer. »