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David Sparks (MacSparky)

In a world where technology is increasingly conspiring to steal our focus and attention, my goal is to teach you how to be more productive with Apple technology. I want to help you achieve what is most important to you and enjoy your life at the same time using technology instead of becoming another one of its victims. Pretty much everything I make points at that North Star. I believe in this message so much that I’ve staked my livelihood on it.

Featured Post

The Irrelevance of Hari Seldon

Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE], I tore through Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series when I was about twelve. At first, I assumed the story would follow Hari Seldon, the brilliant mathematician who kicks off the series by predicting the collapse and rebirth of galactic civilization. Twelve-year-old me loved Hari, and I couldn't wait to see his story unfold. Then the books leapt forward … by centuries. Seldon slipped from living legend to myth, from myth to footnote, and finally into...

Hi Friend, Apple’s WWDC 2025 was, in many ways, a return to form. That was the title of this week’s Mac Power Users episode, and I stand by it. Apple delivered a compelling presentation that reminded us what Apple is best at: thoughtful design, tight integration, and bold ideas across the ecosystem. Chief among those ideas was the unveiling of a completely new user interface, “Liquid Glass.” It’s more than just eye candy. It’s a technical and aesthetic achievement that unifies the feel of...

Hi Friend, In a few days, Apple will take the stage at WWDC 2025. This year’s keynote speech feels like an inflection point for Apple. More than just announcing the new operating systems, this year Apple needs to show its ability to evolve. As we sit here, just days before, there's a growing list of uncertainties around Apple. Artificial Intelligence Questions All of Apple’s competitors are making strides with artificial intelligence: Google has jumped into artificial intelligence with both...

Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE], When I was a boy and first showed up for school, I was tested and found to be entirely … adequate. I wasn’t particularly sharp, but I was earnest. As such, I didn’t find myself in the “smart” classes with the “smart” kids. And yet… In those ordinary classes with the rest of the ordinary kids, I bumped into some of the most extraordinary teachers. To name just a few: Ms. Carol, Ms. Sartor, Ms. Puckett, Mr. Mercer, and Professor Peterson. Each of those...

The Alfred Field Guide has landed! Your Mac at the Speed of Thought. Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE], After six months of rebuilding my entire Alfred setup and recording 80+ HD screencasts and four+ hours of training, the Alfred Field Guide is officially live. Purchase Now with 10% Off What you’ll master Zero‑to‑Hero Setup: Install Alfred, unlock Powerpack features, and master core prefs in minutes. Launch & Search at Mach Speed: Apps, files, snippets, clipboard, system controls—all from...

Dark blue baseball cap with a light blue lightning bolt logo resting on a woodworking bench beside a metal hand plane with a wooden handle.

Hi Reader, Years ago, I encountered a fascinating concept in a book by the Dalai Lama: every seven years, human beings transform into entirely new versions of themselves. This idea stems from the biological principle that our bodies replace virtually all their cells over a seven-year cycle. The person you are today doesn't share a single cell with the version of you from seven years ago. (This is, of course, a generalization as some cells regenerate much faster and others a little slower.)...

Hi Reader, There's a rumor that Apple is working on an on-device medical AI. The idea is that your iPhone or Apple Watch could use its onboard silicon to privately analyze your health data and offer recommendations, without sending that sensitive information to the cloud. The general vibe I'm seeing in response to this rumor is justified skepticism. Plenty of folks out there think there's no way Apple can pull this off, but I think this is exactly the kind of thing they should be doing. This...

MacSparky Distraction Free Home Screen

Hi Friend, I recently shared my current iPhone home screen over in the MacSparky Labs, and it generated a lot of interesting responses accusing me of both genius and madness. Let me explain… The default tools for managing the iPhone home screen are fine, and I’ve used them for years. But in my never-ending quest for increased intentionality, I started to wonder—what if I took some of the sexiness out of the iPhone home screen? You’ve probably heard about these minimalist or “distraction-free”...

Hi Friend, I recently took a flight and following touchdown, a crew member made a surprise announcement: this landing marked our captain’s final flight after 30 years piloting aircraft. We all applauded. As we disembarked, the captain stood in the aisle, offering each passenger a farewell. When it was my turn, I congratulated him. I actually thought about what I’d say. “I hope your next adventure is as exciting as this one was.” His eyes met mine, serious and somber, as he quietly replied,...

Hi Friend, If you listened to the most recent episode of Mac Power Users, you heard me struggling with a decision: should I upgrade my Mac? As you may know, I've been happily using an M2 Mac Studio with 8TB of internal storage. It's a powerhouse, and it fits perfectly in Endor Studios (my home studio). I'm a big believer in contextual work, and when I sit at my desk, I'm instantly in production mode. My workflow is optimized for this machine, and until recently, I hadn't seriously considered...