Nostr notes by Federico Viticci :ticciseal:

still your average Siri AI experience 😆 ...

2026-07-04T13:21:28Z

still your average Siri AI experience 😆

Super fascinating architecture for AFM Core Advanced (new, bigger ...

2026-06-09T06:32:32Z

Super fascinating architecture for AFM Core Advanced (new, bigger on-device model based on Apple-Google collab and a novel NAND approach).

Can't wait to play around with this: https://www.macstories.net/linked/the-third-generation-of-apples-foundation-models-and-afm-core-advanced/

Nice! Model/effort level? (adding to my list)

2026-05-21T16:30:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…wavr
_________________________

Nice! Model/effort level? (adding to my list)

After nearly six months of work, I'm thrilled to introduce ...

2026-05-21T14:28:30Z

After nearly six months of work, I'm thrilled to introduce Shortcuts Playground:

A plugin for Claude Code and Codex to create native Apple shortcuts with natural language.

Type a sentence in, get a shortcut back. It can one-shot complex shortcuts, make changes, and remix old shortcuts. Full Shortcuts action library supported.

Free and open source. Install it in your favorite agent here: https://github.com/viticci/shortcuts-playground-plugin

My story on how and why I made this: https://www.macstories.net/stories/introducing-shortcuts-playground/

Set up my MacBook Neo and, after login, iCloud sync wiped 300+ ...

2026-03-11T19:13:49Z

Set up my MacBook Neo and, after login, iCloud sync wiped 300+ shortcuts from the Shortcuts app.

All gone.

Thankfully, I have a backup, but…ooof.

Gotta rethink how much I trust iCloud these days.

RE: https://mastodon.online/@9to5Mac/115975096438601134 nature is ...

2026-01-28T23:20:28Z

RE: https://mastodon.online/@9to5Mac/115975096438601134

nature is healing

quoting
note1a65…9aml

Halide cofounder Sebastiaan de With joins Apple’s design team https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/28/halide-cofounder-sebastiaan-de-with-joins-apples-design-team/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Nostr event nevent1qqsrm04zfgv256d3f0qrvg84w4655djcpwl8xa85h4wtdwncyl7xx5szyqukqq4sj5pu470r5jrqvkkxpz6fayf7027na7zuczc34ggnzfwcvua0yjr

2025-09-15T10:51:17Z

Who's up for "some" reading today?

My iOS and iPadOS 26 review is finished. As of this morning, I ...

2025-09-10T11:25:11Z

My iOS and iPadOS 26 review is finished.

As of this morning, I have a conclusion, all chapters in place, and five long days ahead of me for editing, images, videos, and special perks.

I've had a lot of fun working on this one, and I can't wait for y'all to read it on Monday.

☕️

Oh no, the new MagSafe battery is only compatible with the iPhone ...

2025-09-09T18:40:24Z

Oh no, the new MagSafe battery is only compatible with the iPhone Air...?

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MGPG4AM/A/iphone-air-magsafe-battery

Not a bad editing day for my iOS review 🏖️ (Except whatever ...

2025-09-07T15:51:55Z

Not a bad editing day for my iOS review 🏖️

(Except whatever is going on with this visual artifact when photographing an iPad's display...?)

Nostr event nevent1qqswg4e75v67ls9dktvc2uxpmteuxkmww25z4y8p4zq0dj02sx58q9szyqukqq4sj5pu470r5jrqvkkxpz6fayf7027na7zuczc34ggnzfwcv3033su

2025-09-03T13:45:08Z

👀

yeah, I don't think we can rely on Apple's on-device ...

2025-08-16T13:25:54Z

yeah, I don't think we can rely on Apple's on-device model for image analysis folks

Well, developers, it is time: Are you working on iOS 26 apps with ...

2025-08-11T20:48:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…dkr3
_________________________

Well, developers, it is time:

Are you working on iOS 26 apps with Liquid Glass? Foundation Models?

New iPadOS 26 app updates?

I could use examples for my annual iOS and iPadOS review.

Hit me up: viticci@macstories.net

guess I gotta start writing at some point eh

2025-08-11T20:41:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…y6ap
_________________________

guess I gotta start writing at some point eh

Took two months in beta, but I feel like Liquid Glass is where it ...

2025-08-11T20:38:49Z

Took two months in beta, but I feel like Liquid Glass is where it was always supposed to be in the latest iOS 26 beta 6.

Still glassy, but better balance (with variable opacity and other clever tricks) for legibility. Lots of fast and bouncy animations all around.

It's definitely been a process, but I think this feels pretty good now.

Pocket Casts for iOS 18 on the left, Apple Podcasts for iOS 26 on ...

2025-07-22T18:18:38Z

Pocket Casts for iOS 18 on the left, Apple Podcasts for iOS 26 on the right.

Between the illegible glass and the tab bar that disappears on scroll, I honestly have no idea who can take a look at this and say "Yes, that'll do it. That's good."

Liquid Glass is a mess so far, *especially* on iOS. Actually pushing me to use apps without Liquid Glass.

A half-formed thought that popped into my head while cooking ...

2025-07-16T11:37:41Z

A half-formed thought that popped into my head while cooking (this stuff happens):

The greatest threat to Apple Intelligence's App Intents adoption isn't the underlying lack of an LLM (Apple can fix that sooner or later): it's web apps and the rise of MCP. The automation and inter-app model is shifting from local extensions to web-based ones.

I'm imagining an Apple-made MCP bridge that runs in Private Cloud Compute 🤔

I mean, you know me, I'm not the kind of person who hates ...

2025-07-10T13:25:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…90ce
_________________________

I mean, you know me, I'm not the kind of person who hates change. I love to switch between systems, try new stuff, and be on the bleeding edge of tech.

But things have to be an improvement, and most of Liquid Glass feels like a sidestep with beautiful animations, a great physics engine, and worse usability than before.

We'll see what happens I guess!

The more time I spend with Liquid Glass, the more I don't ...

2025-07-10T13:22:28Z

The more time I spend with Liquid Glass, the more I don't understand Alan Dye's and the design team's obsession with minimizing UI chrome and "prioritizing content" instead.

With collapsed tab bars in iOS 26, it now takes me two taps to switch between Library and Music.

Is that…better? The animations are gorgeous, sure. But does it actually *work* better? 🤔

How much has Apple really “nerfed” Liquid Glass in the latest ...

2025-07-07T22:33:29Z

How much has Apple really “nerfed” Liquid Glass in the latest beta?

Here’s a comparison between iPadOS 26 developer beta 2 (first image) and beta 3.

Music tab bar:

This poor iPad mini is doing 8 windows at once on iPadOS 26 and ...

2025-07-03T17:02:19Z

This poor iPad mini is doing 8 windows at once on iPadOS 26 and it’s both so funny and incredible at the same time

With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts, I can basically ...

2025-06-16T19:51:00Z

With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts, I can basically add summarization to any app that can share data with a shortcut.

In this case: Unread (npub1mhq…gxap) + Shortcuts for on-device summarization. All done in 5 actions. Pretty nice!

Kudos to the Reminders team for shipping my favorite control ...

2025-06-14T15:30:52Z

Kudos to the Reminders team for shipping my favorite control (ever?) in iOS 26's Control Center.

Creating quick tasks like this with support for natural language and switching lists is *chef's kiss* 😘

Sky combines the simplicity of LLMs with access to macOS tools. ...

2025-05-28T16:25:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…c7vd
_________________________

Sky combines the simplicity of LLMs with access to macOS tools.

There are built-in tools for system apps, or you can make your own with Shortcuts, scripts, and even MCPs down the road.

Incredible simplicity, speed, and power rolled into one. They did it again.

https://www.macstories.net/stories/sky-for-mac-preview/

For the past two weeks, I’ve been testing Sky, the new app by ...

2025-05-28T16:14:46Z

For the past two weeks, I’ve been testing Sky, the new app by the original Shortcuts team.

It’s a mind-blowing app that brings AI + automation everywhere on your Mac. Coming later this year. It’ll change how we think of AI features on macOS.

My exclusive story: https://www.macstories.net/stories/sky-for-mac-preview/

Things took a MAJOR turn for Apple's App Store: - In the Epic ...

2025-04-30T23:40:03Z

Things took a MAJOR turn for Apple's App Store:

- In the Epic v. Apple case, the court has found Apple in willful violation of a previous injunction on anticompetitive conduct

- Effective immediately, Apple can no longer impose commissions on purchases made via external links or have a say on link placement

- An Apple VP lied under oath and the court is referring to the U.S. Attorney to investigate whether criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate

🍿

Filing: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25924283-epic-v-apple-contempt-order/

👀 🤔 ...

2025-04-29T19:53:10Z

👀 🤔

I've been sitting on this story for months: The best iPad ...

2025-03-13T15:53:41Z

I've been sitting on this story for months:

The best iPad apps I've used lately are…web apps. Groundbreaking iPad-only apps are now a lost art, and only Apple is to blame.

The iPad's "Sweet" Solution https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-ipads-sweet-solution/

I wrote up some thoughts on the Apple Intelligence delay and some ...

2025-03-08T11:33:11Z

I wrote up some thoughts on the Apple Intelligence delay and some of the commentary around it:

https://www.macstories.net/stories/notes-on-the-apple-intelligence-delay/

Tapbots making a Bluesky client is excellent news and I can't ...

2025-03-05T20:48:40Z

Tapbots making a Bluesky client is excellent news and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

https://www.macstories.net/news/phoenix-rising-tapbots-reveals-new-bluesky-client-for-summer-release/

I wrote about the new Pokémon Champions game coming to iOS, ...

2025-02-27T18:50:05Z

I wrote about the new Pokémon Champions game coming to iOS, Android, and Switch, and why it's an exciting opportunity for competitive Pokémon VGC to grow beyond its niche and reach a wider audience.

Including some comments from Aaron 'Cybertron' Zheng and Gabby Snyder ☺️

https://www.macstories.net/news/with-pokemon-champions-competitive-pokemon-vgc-may-finally-go-mainstream/

It's time for a new @npub1fw9…ezn2 episode! This week: more ...

2025-02-11T16:42:33Z

It's time for a new NPC: Next Portable Console (npub1fw9…ezn2) episode!

This week: more Nintendo Switch 2 speculation, plus a big segment by brendon bigley (npub1lwv…99yc) about running Bazzite on the ROG Ally X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03WObzBvz4o

Some old-school, late night blogging with some thoughts on ...

2025-02-05T02:48:39Z

Some old-school, late night blogging with some thoughts on The Iconfactory (npub1wha…fj2r)'s Tapestry, Silvio Rizzi (npub1a9x…7e9x)'s new Reeder, and the beauty of the Open Web:

The Many Purposes of Timeline Apps for the Open Web https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-many-purposes-of-timeline-apps-for-the-open-web/

And it's not just that we've taken MacStories off Meta ...

2025-01-12T10:34:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…vyld
_________________________

And it's not just that we've taken MacStories off Meta platforms:

For the past year, I've been planning how to go all-in with the Fediverse and ActivityPub for MacStories 5.0.

The future of MacStories (npub1sz3…05rp)' social infrastructure will be based on open, decentralized standards.

I'm so excited to build this with John Voorhees (npub1m9k…x0zg), [@robb](https://social.lol/@robb ), Alex Guyot (npub1rw8…3tsa) and the rest of the team.

I just wanted to say that I'm so incredibly thankful for the ...

2025-01-12T10:20:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…yz98
_________________________

I just wanted to say that I'm so incredibly thankful for the *hundreds* of encouraging messages we've gotten from readers – old and new – regarding our decision to take MacStories off Meta platforms.

I'm even more grateful to see people signing up for the ClubMacStories (npub1g6d…c2lp) or upgrading their subscriptions to support us. Now more than ever, an independent site like MacStories (npub1sz3…05rp) depends on its readers to keep growing after 16 years.

Thank you. 💛

https://club.macstories.net/plans

At MacStories, we won't stand for Meta's dehumanizing, ...

2025-01-10T18:27:00Z

At MacStories, we won't stand for Meta's dehumanizing, harmful moderation practices.

Fuck them and everyone who builds their business upon a semblance of "free speech" to ostracize minorities and all kinds of humans.

For this reason, we're leaving Threads and Instagram behind.

You can read about our decision here, and find some links to support different organizations today: https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-wont-stand-for-metas-dehumanizing-and-harmful-moderation-policies/

It's also my pleasure to introduce this year's recipient ...

2024-12-09T15:54:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…zk4g
_________________________

It's also my pleasure to introduce this year's recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award: the excellent Transit for iPhone.

In her story, Niléane (npub15m6…mp9u) explains how, after 12 years, Transit continues to balance great design with innovative features, all while staying true to the essence of the app.

Transit joins PCalc, Drafts, and Pixelmator in our list of Lifetime Achievement Award winners: https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-macstories-selects-2024-lifetime-achievement-award/

I'm thrilled to introduce the 2024 MacStories Selects awards ...

2024-12-09T15:46:34Z

I'm thrilled to introduce the 2024 MacStories Selects awards – our celebration of the apps that defined the year on Apple platforms. 🏆

9 categories. Refreshed physical awards. And the best selection of apps I think we've had in years.

Here are all the winners ⬇️

https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-selects-2024-recognizing-the-best-apps-of-the-year/

I can't believe that my American friends and readers have to ...

2024-11-05T14:17:36Z

I can't believe that my American friends and readers have to choose between a sane person and a literal psychopath who is a convicted felon and occasionally cosplays as garbage man and is horny for dictators, but here we are.

I hope y'all go out and vote today and make the only reasonable, humane, decent choice you have. It's as simple as that and I don't need to hear any other opinion.

Go Kamala. 🇺🇸💙

Welp. Apple has acquired Pixelmator. ...

2024-11-01T15:42:13Z

Welp. Apple has acquired Pixelmator.

https://www.pixelmator.com/blog/2024/11/01/a-new-home-for-pixelmator/

iOS and iPadOS 18.1 are launching today! Here's our ...

2024-10-28T15:08:31Z

iOS and iPadOS 18.1 are launching today!

Here's our Niléane (npub15m6…mp9u) with an in-depth look at everything that's changing that is NOT Apple Intelligence: https://www.macstories.net/reviews/ios-and-ipados-18-1-everything-new-besides-apple-intelligence/

(Check out those new controls in Control Center!)

As someone who gets sad and nostalgic about stores that close and ...

2024-10-12T23:21:13Z

As someone who gets sad and nostalgic about stores that close and finds comfort in rabbit holes, I can very honestly say that this talk by Cabel Sasser (npub1ncm…270v) is the most inspiring, comforting 20 minutes I've ever spent on YouTube.

Appreciate everything endlessly: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Df_K7pIsfvg

remember when some folks last year were upset that Apple was ...

2024-09-27T12:04:35Z

remember when some folks last year were upset that Apple was "forced" to switch to USB-C and they predicted a massive outcry and instead everybody was like – nope, that's great finally thank you lol

The end goal was always glasses – never VR headsets. I'm ...

2024-09-25T19:01:55Z

The end goal was always glasses – never VR headsets.

I'm incredibly excited about a near future where AR glasses look like regular glasses we can wear.

Meta's Orion prototype looks promising. But when I look at this picture, all I can think is:

iPhone + glasses + Apple Watch.

https://www.theverge.com/24253908/meta-orion-ar-glasses-demo-mark-zuckerberg-interview

as someone who played HUNDREDS of hours of online MKDS back in ...

2024-09-23T20:47:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…n9ss
_________________________

as someone who played HUNDREDS of hours of online MKDS back in the day and perfected the art of snaking, oh it's on

I'm up for it

2024-09-23T20:04:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…tsqm
_________________________

I'm up for it

Nostr event nevent1qqs8z378y9zlz7394xd5q4ucgnly6mr820sn2th0p4znqex6cul839gzyqukqq4sj5pu470r5jrqvkkxpz6fayf7027na7zuczc34ggnzfwcveh8rl5

2024-09-23T19:12:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…tgk3
_________________________

👀 https://relayfm.social/@connected/113160596882490621

2024-09-18T21:13:03Z

👀 https://relayfm.social/@connected/113160596882490621

Here we go 🚀 6 chapters, 14 pages, hundreds of features ...

2024-09-16T14:36:22Z

Here we go 🚀

6 chapters, 14 pages, hundreds of features covered...

My iOS and iPadOS 18 review is now live on MacStories!

I did something different for my 10th annual review: in the age of generative AI, I hired a real artist to illustrate it instead.

It's my most personal review ever. I'm proud of it – especially the conclusion.

Enjoy. ❤️

https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-18-the-macstories-review/

"Starting September 16: Users in the EU can download iPadOS ...

2024-09-13T08:07:45Z

"Starting September 16:

Users in the EU can download iPadOS apps on the App Store and through alternative distribution"

https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=4sn7e783

A real clipboard manager on my iPad, let's go 🚀

Here's @npub15m6…mp9u on all the Health features Apple ...

2024-09-09T21:19:27Z

Here's Niléane (npub15m6…mp9u) on all the Health features Apple announced today.

AirPods Pro as certified hearing aids is going to be life-changing for people, and the kind of "Apple at its best" I love to see.

https://www.macstories.net/news/apple-unveils-new-health-features-coming-to-the-apple-watch-and-airpods-pro-2/

Uhm, the new Linkin Park singer is amazing? My word, what a ...

2024-09-05T22:57:09Z

Uhm, the new Linkin Park singer is amazing?

My word, what a debut: https://www.youtube.com/live/IL1nlWOciL0?si=S8jaTWeO6uhMD1nF

We are so back, part 2: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-new-vocalist-emily-armstrong-tour-album-from-zero-1235096109/

It's new @npub1fw9…ezn2 episode day! This week, we covered ...

2024-08-27T19:20:35Z

It's new NPC: Next Portable Console (npub1fw9…ezn2) episode day!

This week, we covered a new handheld, some fascinating gaming accessories, and I shared my experience with dual-booting the ROG Ally X with Windows and Bazzite. There's also a retro handheld check-in.

Listen to the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-dogs-are-my-gaming-pillow/id1749770019?i=1000666800542

And you can also watch the video version on YouTube *and* Spotify now:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSFSpeOxBA0
- https://open.spotify.com/episode/47dgcBhmf6EVfQhdk8pIOs?si=Zn4yloOrTauiuDHd3Y-BYg

This one's a joke, right? The EU is not a government...?

2024-08-25T18:51:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…lx5u
_________________________

This one's a joke, right? The EU is not a government...?

The DMA Version of iOS Is More Fun Than Vanilla iOS ...

2024-08-25T18:46:14Z

The DMA Version of iOS Is More Fun Than Vanilla iOS https://www.macstories.net/linked/the-dma-version-of-ios-is-more-fun-than-vanilla-ios/

Installing apps from non-App Store sources and changing defaults ...

2024-08-23T15:43:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…qrca
_________________________

Installing apps from non-App Store sources and changing defaults is certainly more like my Mac or PC. That's what I meant.

Some really good changes coming for default apps on iOS in the ...

2024-08-22T18:15:50Z

Some really good changes coming for default apps on iOS in the EU.

My realization in 2024 has been that the DMA fork of iOS is the best iPhone experience. We can finally use our phones like actual computers with more default apps and apps from external sources.

Bring it on: https://www.macstories.net/news/apple-announces-new-changes-to-the-browser-choice-screen-and-default-apps-on-ios-and-ipados-in-the-eu/

"But you don't get it, AI actually empowers human ...

2024-08-21T22:25:02Z

"But you don't get it, AI actually empowers human creativity and democratizes it!"

AI:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/21/24224084/google-pixel-9-reimagine-ai-photos

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/i-tried-google-pixel-studio-app-image-generator-problems-concerns/

Is there any company more out of touch with creatives right now ...

2024-08-12T17:52:33Z

Is there any company more out of touch with creatives right now than Apple?

It feels incredibly weird to say this, but it sadly is true. Asking for 30% from Patreon subscriptions – in this climate – is garbage.

Read the room.

https://wavelengths.online/posts/thirty-percent

It's easy: gay rights are human rights. If your company is ...

2024-01-06T03:26:02Z

It's easy: gay rights are human rights. If your company is directly associated with another whose CEO is notoriously anti-gay rights, you're supporting their agenda. It's not about "politics".

Framing this as "We just care about tech!" is childish, unethical, and demoralizing.

Incredibly disappointed by Kagi here.

(Also: I'd suggest they moderate their Discord so that our writer Niléane (npub15m6…mp9u) wouldn't continue to be harassed and ridiculed by their tech bro audience.)

https://nileane.fr/@nileane/111705532073853768