PDF Expert recently received a major update to version 3, bringing with it a new design, OCR support, and new ways to export PDFs. Here’s a quick first look at PDF Expert 3’s major new features and how the team is nicely combining the best PDF features from PDF Expert on the iPad with PDF Expert on the Mac. »

Back in December, I outlined how I studied course material for a major exam using Craft Notes. There were many positives, a couple negatives, and a whole bunch of naivety at that time. Craft Notes is still one of my favorite new apps of the last four or five years, but it didn’t end up sticking as well as I thought when the real studying began. »

Saving email messages as PDFs is a convenient way to create copies of messages that you want to keep. »

PDF Expert, our pick for the best PDF app for the iPad, received a nice update that makes it a universal app, and much more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at the Opal C1 webcam, a look at the latest version of PDF Expert for Mac, and more. »

The new version is a substantial update and includes a new design that makes working with your PDF documents even easier. »

You can easily create PDFs from any Print dialog in macOS Sierra. »

I generate a lot of PDF documents every March and April. Some back of the envelope math would clock in around 3,200 documents generated or so. Each tax return would require between 3 and 6 documents, each with their own unique filename. Our naming convention is pretty simple, but requires each client’s name. And each […] »

iOS does not provide a native method for saving an email as a PDF, but PDF Convert.me is here to alleviate that problem. »

A new feature in iOS 10 allows you to save PDFs from Mail. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a roundup of voice memo apps, using DEVONThink for managing and annotating PDFs on your iPad, and more. »

This week we're trying PDF Expert, Gladys for macOS, and Adobe Scan. »

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. »

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. »

Converting a PDF to a Word or Pages document is easier than you think with PDFpen. »

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

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at some desks and chairs that look and work great in any setup, a look at a less-common web browser that deserves a look, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a few examples for using Bunch on your Mac, a deep dive on using Notion to develop a writing habit, and more. »

A couple of months ago, we were in a Blanc Media staff meeting and we were talking about one of our resources, an e-book called Procrastinator’s Guide to Progress. And I asked, “Do we have a central place to easily find all of our resources with source files and links?” Well, the answer was.... “um, I don’t think so”. So then I had the idea to track down all of our resources, PDFs, slide decks etc. and drop them into one place. So our Master Resource Database in Notion was born. »

There are millions of apps to try out on any given day, and this week we're trying out Books, Shortcuts, and Wealthsimple. »

A review of the new 10.5-inch iPad, an updated review of the best PDF app for iPad, a reader's setup, and more. »

One of the newest apps I discovered was Heptabase, a research-specific PKM app that uses a more visual approach to presenting your research and learning. Heptabase uses whiteboards, sections, and mind maps to connect your thinking and has unique PDF features that will be sure to catch the attention of professors, graduate and doctorate students, and more. »

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

A list of our favorite games, the best iPad app for managing PDFs, a Sweet Setup interview with Matthew Panzarino, and more... »

The best PDF app for Mac, our favorite Apple TV apps, some tips on using Runkeeper, and more. »

Brian Renshaw is a doctoral studies candidate, an instructional designer, and also runs a couple of his own websites. »

A colleague on The Sweet Setup team recently asked me a profound question related to Windows on the Mac — a question wherein I completely dropped the ball in answering. The question was simple: Why would a regular Mac user choose to work in Windows on a Mac instead of macOS?" Tough question. In short, compatibility. »

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

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. »

The best secure messaging app for iPhone, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a workflow post on creating PDFs from iOS, a tip on using Dropbox offline, and more. »

Some great deals on apps and gear we love, an interesting setup, a tip on PDFs in iOS, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a tip on setting up a distraction-free iPhone, big updates to apps like Keyboard Maestro, Darkroom, and PDF Expert, and more. »

It's easy to save things to your desktop on macOS for convenient access to files later, but it also clutters up your desktop. Luckily, Hazel can you declutter your desktop automatically. »

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. »

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

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. »

A quick tip, iPhone setup, and a great app development shop turns 7. »

Notion AI Q&A is the key to unlocking a new type of productivity in our office. It’s effectively the executive assistant in the office, ready with a quick answer whenever you have a question or ready to find an update for something you know you worked on months ago. »

Right alongside the ability to tag your notes in Apple Notes is the ability to create smart folders. Smart folders are tags and folders on steroids — you can build out entirely custom ways to unearth and organize your notes. »

Let's dive into what makes Notes so good. We’ll provide a few simple quick tips of things that make any Notes experience that much better, as well as the latest features coming to Notes in iOS 17. »

I can point to a sequence of events that led directly to my current hybrid productivity setup. It started last year when I attended Focus Course Academy. One of the mini-lessons nestled in the middle of the academy was a crash course in time-blocking. In hindsight, time-blocking is so obvious. If you want to ensure you get something done, it needs to be part of your calendar. But actually time-blocking isn’t all that obvious. Do you do the time-blocking in your digital calendar? Do you buy a physical notebook and sketch out each day? »

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. »

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. »

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. »

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

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. »

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

Chenyang Hsu is a law student living in Beijing who is also fascinated with technology, design, UX, and Apple. »

A college Mac and iOS setup, a tip on converting PDFs to Word format, and much more. »

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

Analog vs. Digital The battle for analog vs. digital for productivity tools has never been more fierce. On the one hand, what digital tools are able to accomplish continues to amaze as technology advances. On the other hand, technology also opens the door to distractions and interruptions and there’s a lot to be said for […] »

I’ve tried just about every time blocking method out there. I’ve done it Fantastical (my calendar app of choice), followed Shawn in planning my day using GoodNotes on my iPad using a custom template, experimented with time blocking in Obsidian, even crafted my own analog bullet-journal-based hybrid productivity system. For the past 6 months or […] »

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

Recently, I shared with a couple of friends about the new mind mapping course we just released, and one of them (Brandon Wentland, who previously shared his sweet setup here started telling me about some of the cool ways he uses mind maps to run his digital marketing agency. »

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 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? »

Michael Wandl is a student at the Vienna University of Business and Economics, an amateur photographer, an Apple enthusiast, and a sneakerhead. »

Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:00 am EST, the Focus Course will be available. Here are all the details about the course, pricing, and more. »

The best secure messaging app for iPhone, a reader's Mac, iPhone, and Watch setup, some advice from Mike Vardy on working smarter, a tip on disabling sync between your Mac Desktop and Documents folders, and more. »

Tiffany White is a student at the University of Pittsburgh where she studies Computer Science by day and works as a freelance developer by night. »

Digitizing and organizing your receipts using Scanbot and macOS make it easier to prepare your taxes so you have more time for more important things. »

Our 2016 holiday gift guide, a reader's Mac and iOS setup, a tip on saving PDFs from iOS Mail, 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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an upcoming webinar on freeing yourself from overwhelm, a roundup of several popular infinite canvas apps, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Readwise's new RSS tool, simplifying your apps, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some guidance on reducing the number of apps you use, a look at the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at the new Onyx Boox Tab Ultra for hand-written digital notes, and more. »

A while back, I reviewed the reMarkable e-ink tablet. There's a lot to like about this incredibly thin tablet: it's thin and light, has incredible battery life, and offers a great writing experience for a digital tablet. But the software was lacking, and I found myself consistently bumping up against the limitations of the device in frustrating ways. »

When I first saw the reMarkable 2, I immediately saw the appeal from a mindfulness perspective. In this Mindfulness Monday post, I consider the pros and cons of "the world's thinnest tablet." »

Blocks are the very core of Craft. They provide countless ways to format, structure, and build out your documents. They can take numerous forms, from text, audio, video, PDFs, sketches — there is very little Craft can’t handle thanks to its block-based system. »

You’ve probably already started the new decade hearing about Notion from somewhere. Whether it was on Product Hunt, your Twitter-sphere, or just people nattering about it at work, Notion is gaining attention all round the web as the new shiny productivity tool in town. With much anticipation, across the last two years, people have flooded […] »

Over the past few weeks I’ve been experimenting with using GoodNotes on my iPad as a replacement for my physical notebook. »

Whether we like it or not, Microsoft's Office suite of apps is going to work its way into most of our lives at some point or another. Matt Birchler takes a look at how Word differs between the iOS and desktop platforms. »

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. »

There are so many great choices for note-taking and writing apps available today. Today we’re going to take a look at how each of these apps differ, how they're alike, and see where each shine. »

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. »

Kurt Van de Poel is an electromechanical engineering teacher in Amsterdam, where he teaches pupils how to build safe machines, draw electrical schematics, and program PLCs to control machines. »

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. »

Gareth Harle is an ICT Network Manager for two secondary schools and one primary school in and around Doncaster, UK. »

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

Richard Diaz is a 25-year-old medicine student from the Dominican Republic studying at the Santo Domingo Independent University. »

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 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. »

It’s time we compare Apple Notes and Bear once again. Apple Notes vs. the new and improved Bear has made for some interesting experiments over the last few weeks. Perhaps our findings below will help others dial in their note-taking app choice once more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including our brand new planner for 2024, some great tips on using Apple Notes, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some tips for getting the most out of Apple Notes and Reminders, some interesting links from our friends, and more. »

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. »

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. »

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. »

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. »

There is a plethora of note-taking and research-tracking apps available for the iPhone, iPad, and the Mac. Currently popular ones, like Obsidian and Roam Research, are tremendous for storing research and making connections between your discoveries. Others, like Apple Notes and Bear, excel at collecting all sorts of media types, including text, photos, URLs, and handwritten snippets. And still others, like Drafts, whip text and automations together to form ultra-fast workflows on your devices. »

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

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 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. »

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. »

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. »

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. »

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

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 […] »

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. »

No matter your needs, one of the following notes apps are bound to have you covered on Apple’s latest iPads. »

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. »

iPadOS provides some more robust tools for taking screenshots, providing annotations, and deciding where to send them, and today we look at how these new features work. »

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. »

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

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

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. »

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 app for blocking telemarketers, robo-callers, and spam calls, a reader's Mac and iPhone setup, a tip on adding tasks to Todoist, and more. »

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

Alok Singh is a senior at UC Berkeley where he studies Mathematics and is also interested in Computer Science, reading, and research. »

Chris Powell is a professional technologist and IT Manager for the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University, and also spends his time on several freelance endeavors. »

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

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. »

BizDevCon is a native Austrian doing business development with high-tech American companies and European clients. »

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

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. »

About 40 awesome apps are on sale for an App Santa promotion. We've picked out a handful of the apps that recommend year-round, regardless of price. »

Several of our top picks for apps in the productivity genre are on sale right now. »

A rundown of the current photo management options, a quick tip, a couple of great app updates, and more. »

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 »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at how to save highlights to different note-taking apps, a new PKM player called Heptabase, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Mimestream for Gmail on macOS, the latest PKM tool on the market, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a list of our favorite books, creating custom planner templates in GoodNotes, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including some tips on boosting your productivity, some interesting links about recent Apple announcements, and more. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a behind-the-scenes look at our Notion resource database, Jeff and Mike's productivity app picks, and more. »

As Matt so wisely put last week, we’ll quickly run the risk here of replicating each The Sweet Setup contributor’s must-have productivity apps. By the end of this little series, you’re likely to see a few commonalities, such as Notion, Fantastical, Ulysses, 1Password and perhaps Things. Each of these apps rock in their own right. And we as a group have a great taste in productivity apps. »

I've been spending time playing with infinite canvas apps lately, and there are a lot of great options available. In this article, we'll compare and contrast the features of each of these apps to help you choose the one that best fits your needs. »

A little over a year ago, I had the immense pleasure of meeting a lady named Crystal Schaefer. She’s a wife, mother of two, and a great friend. Oh, and she’s a phenomenal brand strategist. I’ve gotten to work with her on a few projects over the last year, and I’ve been blown away by her mad skills. »

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. »

I had my first taste of text snippet expansion way, way back when everyone could use TextExpander without the subscription cost. There was a little bit of magic every time one of those snippets expanded. It was even cooler when you triggered a little dialog box that let you type in a custom bit of text to be added into the text expansion. »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a review of Twelve South's latest iteration of the HoverBar, a look at how Mike uses Obsidian and daily questions for journaling, and more. »

This is a video lesson from the Time Blocking module in our Simple Time Management course. Downloads:Timeblocking Cheatsheet (PDF) »Daily planner template (PDF) » In this video, we’re going to dive in and create a time blocked plan for our day. I’ll walk you through it by planning my day so you can see how […] »

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 […] »

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 […] »

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. »

The 2020 iPad Pro marked the opportunity for me to try out the smaller of the two iPad Pros. I’ve been using the 12.9-inch iPad Pro since debut day in 2018, and I know how that shoe fits after a few years. Throw that large iPad into a dock on a desk, connect a Smart Keyboard Folio or external keyboard, and hammer away to your heart’s content. With iPadOS 13.4, an external mouse or trackpad make the 12.9-inch iPad Pro really feel like a MacBook replacement. »

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. »

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. »

It's a fine time to be an iOS musician. There are a ton of great apps out there that can help you refine your craft and even perform live music in new and interesting ways. »

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. »

iA Writer received a major update with version 5.3 that adds a bunch of new features that makes an already powerful writing app even better. »

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

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. »

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. »

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

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. »

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

Editor’s Note: This review was a joint effort between Rosemary Orchard and Curtis McHale. Brydge has made some of the better external keyboards for iPads for a few years now. The latest Brydge Keyboard for iPad Pro promises an improved feel over Apple’s own Smart Keyboard Folio, and also promises other handy features like a […] »

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. »

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

GoodNotes 5 introduced a bevy of new features, an updated UI, and a clean user experience that offers a lot of power and customizable options to best fit your workflows. »

While there are specific read-it-later services, DEVONthink can be a great alternative for cataloging research and comments for later. »

Adding your own paper templates to GoodNotes is an incredibly powerful feature that we love. »

In this tutorial, we’ll walk through all the different ways you can export your text from Ulysses on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. »

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. »

1Password is fantastic for storing login credentials and secure notes, but it's also well-suited for providing a digital will for you family and loved ones. »

This week, we're trying out Keep It, a new workflow for creating iPad Pro screenshot composites, and Hello Weather. »

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

Curtis McHale is a self-employed freelance writer and web developer from Canada. »

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

Josh walks us through his workflow for storing his Things project notes in Bear using Workflow to automate the process. »

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. »

We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who has supported our work and helped to spread the word about Learn Ulysses. Here are some answers to a few common questions we’ve been getting over the past few days… »

Graham Hind works for EP Books, a Christian book publisher based in the UK. »

Craig Camp is the general manager at Troon Vineyard in Southern Oregon, and also publishes The Wine Camp Blog. »

Kris Rojas is a Media Producer for a company headquartered in Virginia, and is also a Star Wars enthusiast, horror film aficionado, freelance cinematographer, and an online student enrolled in the Digital Cinematography program at Full Sail University. »

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. »

Ludovic Bubner is a native French speaker who has been living in Taiwan for 13 years as a French teach, and also writes and translates during his free time. »

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 […] »

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. »

Many of our favorite iOS and Mac apps are on sale for the holiday. »

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 a clever Dropbox and alias folder hack, you can store attachments using iOS that you can process later at your Mac. »

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. »

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

Many great app updates are shipping this week. We are collecting a list of the most notable updates and the best new apps for iOS 8. »

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

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

John Voorhees is a lawyer and developer living in the Chicago area with his wife and three sons. »

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. »

Let’s take a look at Apple’s new Journal app for iPhone and how it stacks up to one of the perennial apps on the App Store. The app has a long way to go, but it has some very intriguing elements to start. »

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). »

If you don’t believe personal knowledge management (PKM) isn’t in a hayday right now, go check out ToolFinder.co. You’re going to find the very best apps for note-taking, emailing, calendaring, to-doing, and producivitying across the wide internet. The list is long and the pocketbook requirements deep — you can spend a ton of money and a ton of time building out a system that works for you. »

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

Here are the things we published this week and last. You can also stay up-to-date by following us on Twitter and RSS. Also, we have a weekly email newsletter that sums up all the new and cool things published to the site. If you like to stay up-to-date via email, then you should sign up […] »

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. »

I officially joined the Blanc Media team in September of 2021. When I joined, I had some understanding of productivity, habits, focus, and all of those exciting things. But when I first heard the term “PKM” I drew a blank. What the heck is PKM? Over the last two years, my understanding of what PKM is has grown quite a bit. I realized that PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) is not just for the super-nerd or the information hoarder. The concepts within personal knowledge management can be utilized by anyone, and at the end of the day it’s about doing more creative work. »

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. »

Like Josh, Matt, and Jeff did previously, today I'm going to share a handful of my favorite productivity apps that are essential for how I work. »

With Hazel, automatically filing paperwork and bills is as easy as scanning a document. »

RSS has been an important part of information workflows for many years, but read-it-later apps (and the RSS services many of them are based on) desperately need some inspiration and innovation. Enter Readwise Reader, an app that attempts to combine your RSS, newsletters, web highlights, and more into a single location. »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including an intro to the mechanical keyboard world, an update to our beginners guide to Notion, and more. »

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 […] »

I’ve been working with Canary Mail over the last few weeks to better secure my email workflow. Canary recently debuted SecureSend, a smart encryption feature that secures your email and attached files. SecureSend also has revocation features, enabling you to revoke access to an email or attached files after a certain amount of time, or if the email security has been breached. »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Chloe's Notion-based PKM system, some tips on using Magnet to arrange windows in macOS, and more. »

If you want Windows 11-level window management on macOS, you’ll need a third-party app. Many folks like Moom or BetterSnapTool, but I use Magnet for window management on macOS. Best of all, Magnet goes far beyond what you find as default in Windows 11. »

Daily Notes became a hallmark feature in Craft in short order. The quick and easy ability to create a note, specific to a calendar date, that could be linked and back-linked across your entire Craft database made the feature a perfect option for collecting digital paraphernalia. »

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. »

Today (Monday, Nov 29) is the last chance to get access to the entire Sweet Setup course library at our Black Friday promotion. Course Library by the numbers: 9 In-Depth Courses (See full list here) 175+ Lessons (Screencast walkthroughs, workflow training, and advanced coaching) 50+ Bonus Interviews, Setup Examples, and Articles 23 PDF Templates for […] »

It’s that time of year once again when we like to bring you a few of our top app and gear picks to get you through the holiday season in one piece. This handy list has a little bit of everything, whether you’re looking for some neat gift ideas or you’re simply in need of […] »

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. »

App categories seem to go through rainy seasons and dry seasons — an entire category will go years without any major update, any major splash, or any major new competitor, then suddenly the entire category is uplifted from its roots and the cobwebs get shaken out. It’s quite the phenomenon to observe. »

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

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at how links work in Craft, helping raise funds for St. Jude, and more. »

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. »

With big displays come big widgets in iPadOS 15. Though we had a glimpse of the “larger” widgets with iOS 14’s News widget (sort of), the larger horizontal widgets in iPadOS 15 mostly came out of left field. iPadOS 15 widgets are even larger than the vertical News widget in iOS 14, taking up three columns in the app spring board and displaying content in bold new ways. Apple touted these extra large widgets as being great for media apps like Music, TV, and Photos, where the media inside the app can shine brightly. »

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. »

I’ve bounced around daily note-taking apps for the last 18 months or so. The search started with Roam Research, then moved over to NotePlan 3, and now rests in Craft. Each has its own intricate set of features and shortcomings, and I’m still not perfectly jumping for joy with any option. »

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 […] »

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 […] »

When the group at The Sweet Setup suggested we'd be talking about knowledge and idea workflows in the early part of 2021, I couldn't pass up the chance to talk about my analog adventures that live alongside all the apps I use each day. We can't do everything on our iPhones, after all. »

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. »

We've updated our review of the best journaling app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. »

2020 was hard enough without having to think about all the usual holiday stresses, but we're here to help! Here is our annual list of great apps and gear to get you through the holiday season in one piece. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a clever shortcut for using Twitter without seeing your timeline, a nerdy look at Mike's iOS 14 widgets layout, and more. »

Turn all your content to audio, instantly! »

In this post, we share how time blocking works, why you should consider using it to plan your day, and how my time blocking routine is supplemented by my use of Roam Research. »

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. »

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? »

Because deep thinking doesn’t happen in front of your computer. »

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. »

Ten of the top app (and cloud service) subscriptions as voted on by TSS readers. »

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

Nate Dunn runs a cycling coaching company from Sacramento, CA where he works with cyclists to analyze and improve their training to reach their goals. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a few answers to common questions about our Calm Inbox course, a detailed look at the latest version of Things on iOS, and more. »

Because deep thinking doesn’t happen in front of your computer. »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at our upcoming course on dealing with a busy inbox, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and more. »

Because deep thinking doesn’t happen in front of your computer. »

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. »

Today, our friends at Day One released version 5.0 of their venerable journaling app, which continues to be one of the most important apps on our respective home screens. »

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. »

There was a ton that was announced in the WWDC keynote presentation on Monday. iOS 14, iPadOS, watchOS 7, macOS Big Sur, a bunch of privacy and Home updates, and even a big upgrade for AirPods. But one of the sections that really caught my attention was the announced improvements to the iPad with Apple Pencil. »

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. »

There’s a lot of buzz recently around a new app called Roam Research. Roam brands itself as “a note-taking tool for networked thought,” which naturally raises the question: Do we really need another note-taking app? »

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 […] »

I’ve been a “habit nerd” for nearly 20 years. Routines have helped tremendously with my desire to keep areas of my life on track over the years. A few examples include things such as creating every day, a weekly date-night with my wife, an automatic saving and investing, consistent workouts. These certainly ebb and flow […] »

Ulysses, our favorite writing app for iOS and macOS, takes another step forward in version 19 with full support for the new cursor in iPadOS, along with some important cross-platform refinements. »

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! »

If you're struggling to figure out how to effectively work from home, you're not alone. It can be difficult enough under normal circumstances when you've had time to prepare, but millions of people are having to figure this out on the fly. Fortunately, there's a lot of great advice out there that can help ease the transition. We've put together a collection of resources from around the web that can help you get off to a good start if you find yourself suddenly needing to figure out how to work from home. »

Yesterday, my 3-year-old took an entire roll of blue ribbon and cut it up into about 10,000 tiny little strips and while walking all around the house. (At least it wasn’t the toilet paper.) Needless to say, for the past few weeks, I’ve been using even Day One more than I usually do. As far […] »

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. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at using Notion to replace Evernote, a look at a minimal text editor scratchpad, and more. »

Tot is a simple text scratchpad app from Iconfactory that does one thing: capture and edit small bits of text. »

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. »

Nothing is more frustrating than having a great thought and losing it. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a video interview with James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, essential apps for musicians, and more. »

We’ve revisited our review of the best app for using an iPad as an external display and it’s clear that Sidecar is the best option for some, while others should still consider Air Display 3. »

Have a new iPad? Check out our recommendations for unique and essentials apps to get you started. »

There is a new Take Control book available today on Shortcuts, and it’s written by our own Rosemary Orchard! If you’re looking to take your iOS automation game to the next level, Rosemary is definitely qualified to help you. She’s written several automation posts here at The Sweet Setup on automation, like how to start […] »

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. »

Are you thinking of evaluating your task management system for the New Year? Here are a few quick tips for staying productive and focused. »

Catch up on what we published this week, including a guide to taking great holiday photos, staying intentional with your technology, and more. »

Instead of getting a slightly bigger TV this Black Friday, give an enormous boost to your artistic powers. »

Earlier today, the Spark email mobile app got a significant update to version 2.5. The update brings a new design, support for Dark Mode, customizable email actions, and much more. New Design & Avatars Spark has always been a beautiful application, but version 2.5 features a new design which makes it even better. Messages in […] »

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

Prizmo Go is a powerful app that instantly converts pictures of physical book pages into digital text, and combined with a research app like Keep It creates a magical workflow for managing your notes and research. »

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. »

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. »

Bear 1.7 introduces some nice improvements and seemingly preps the app for iOS 13 and iPadOS 13. »

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 […] »

This excerpt from our Learn GoodNotes course explains the many ways you can efficiently organize your notes and ideas in GoodNotes. »

Our brand-new course for GoodNotes is here. Featuring screencast tutorials as well as custom productivity templates. »

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. »

The latest version of Ulysses brings more powerful features to iOS and closes the feature parity gap even further. »

There aren’t too many features that Windows 10 sports that I miss on macOS, but more than anything, I wish default Windows 10 windows management was more explicitly available in macOS. Thanks to Magnet, this is possible. »

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! »

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. »

The iPad is no longer seen as just a bigger piece of glass. Apple is making a commitment to bring consistent, device-specific updates to the iPad. »

Apple made a ton of announcements at their keynote presentation during WWDC earlier today in San Jose, and here are a few things we're really excited about. »

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. »

Spark continues to evolve at a healthy pace and we’re both impressed with how far the app has come and excited to see where Readdle takes Spark next. »

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. »

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

Catch up on what we published this week, including an update to our Day One review, some great apps we're trying, and more. »

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. »

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. »

This week we're trying Edison Mail, Kodex, and a Shortcut for extracting image URLs. »

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. »

In Airmail for macOS, there are many customizations you can make to make your email workflows more fluid. »

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. »

You can customize the Touch Bar actions in Airmail for macOS so that your favorite and most-used actions are close by. »

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

Catch up on what we published this week, including a quick look at an app for sharing Live Photos with non-iOS users, an example of using and iPad and Digital Ocean for web development, some great link material, and more. »

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. »

With Shortcuts coming in iOS 12, we've taken a look at the various iOS apps we've recommended over the years to determine how compatible they are with Shortcuts. »

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. »

Josh Ginter describes his workflows and uses for Day One, and how that sometimes means that Bear steps in to fill certain gaps. »

Tom Garry is a primary school Deputy Head and Teaching/Learning Lead based in South London. »

Earlier this week, Scanbot released version 7 to include some great new features. »

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

Mike Alexander is a teach of Modern Languages at James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh, Scotland. »

A complete guide on automations and workflows for Things, using Bear with Things, a reader's iPhone X setup, and more. »

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb 13, our new productivity course, All the Things will be launching. Here are all the details. »

A comparison of the best GTD apps, a reader's setup, some exciting news about our Things course, and more. »

A distraction-free writing environment, so you can focus on what you want to say. »

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. »

We hosted our first, live workshop for Sweet Setup readers. There were several hundred who joined us for live the workshop, and it was a blast! »

The new Files app in iOS 11 makes it easy to move and manipulate files and folders across all compatible directory services. »

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

The more you use Ulysses, the better it gets. Here are my seven favorite Ulysses superpowers. »

Dan Johnson is a professional architect working in Alberta, Canada, where he also runs a couple of personal blogs in his spare time. »

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. »

When writing for the web, Byword and Ulysses make it easy to copy or export your text as HTML for publishing. »

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. »

Thibaud De Clerck lives in Belgium, manages communications at his family company, and also writes for his own blog and a tech news site. »

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. »

1Password automatically keeps plenty of backups for your sensitive data, but you can easily clean them out if drive space is a concern. »

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. »

Some of our reviews were recently updated, including the best document scanning app for iOS, and the best music streaming service. »

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. »

Danny Henke is a freelance web and graphic designer at Beardy Guy Creative, an avid science fan and amateur astronomer, and writes at Beardy Star Stuff. »

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. »

Kevin Taylor is an assistant professor in the Religion & Practical Theology Department of Pfeiffer University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes, co-hosts the Theology Cast podcast, and writes his own blog. »

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. »

Tim Bornholdt is a co-founder of The Jed Mahonis Group, a mobile app development shop based in Minneapolis, MN, and also films and edits C Tolle Run, a weekly show about running and fitness hosted by Olympian athlete, Carrie Tollefson. »

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

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. »

Stefan Elf is a passionate media and UI designer, programmer, lecturer, and photographer who runs his own web design agency. »

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. »

Andrew Meyers is an Assistant Director of Admissions at Hope College, where he recruits students and also works on the office email and social marketing efforts, as well as the Admissions section of Hope’s website. »

Georgie Giallousis is a pharmacist living in Greece where he also runs Full Court Press, a basketball-centered blog. »

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

Kramer Wetzel is a writer and a consulting astrologer, now based in San Antonio with deep roots in the Austin area, where he's been doing readings and writing horoscopes for more than 20 years. »

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

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

David Robert Wright is working toward becoming a pastor, working as a private vocal instructor and performing musician, and also an avid photographer. »

With Day One, there are many ways to view and filter your timeline of entries. We're going to show you how they all work, as well as how you can also mix and match for advanced filtering of your timeline view. »

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. »

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. »

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. »

Roberto Marin is a freelance architect and co-founder StudioEmme2, and also writes about using a Mac with architecture at MArCh. »

An update to our favorite Pinboard iOS app, some thoughts on 2014 and what 2015 brings, a setup, paperless office, and more. »

Jonathan runs the products team at a payments company in London, is interested in everything tech, especially in the mobile space, fascinated by the convergence of payments and mobile technology, and also an Apple addict. »

Our favorite third-party email app for OS X, a list of great apps that are on sale, a setup and quick tip, and more. »

InstallMac is a piece of software that ends up on a Mac without permission, but there's a pretty straight-forward fix to remove it. »

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. »

Use iCab Mobile browser to upload any files to a website from you iOS device. »

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. »

Chris is a Digital Media Specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where he works with a team to produce and deliver high-quality digital content. »

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. »

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. »

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

Our pick for the best music streaming service, a tip for quickly recording audio on your Mac, this week's interview, and more. »

Doxie Go is the portable, rechargeable paper scanner that scans anywhere with no computer required, then syncs directly to your Mac. »

A new app review, an interview, and more. »

Doxie Go is the portable, rechargeable paper scanner that scans anywhere with no computer required, then syncs directly to your Mac. »

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

Here are some highlights of what we’ve been up to the past couple of weeks. »

Doxie Go is the portable, rechargeable paper scanner that scans anywhere with no computer required, then syncs directly to your Mac. »

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. »