Well, okay, I wanted it… but this is the £200 ($200) Extended Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and it’s hard to justify that cost. Let me have a go anyway.
LINK:
Apple’s extended Magic Keyboard with Touch ID on Amazon – note that the deal I got is currently over; also watch that you get the right country layout. I bought the UK English one here: https://amzn.to/3lZRNwh
Apple’s keyboard from Apple itself – this time still check you’re getting the right country version, but also note that there is a $179 version in white: https://apple.co/3GM7pND
You can’t afford to mistype your email address or your bank details, but that’s not the kind of writing you got into this for. Let your Mac handle repetitive typing tasks while you concentrate on being the writer you’re meant to be.
TextExpander: https://textexpander.com
58lkeys on text expansion for iPhones and iPads: https://youtu.be/EdWWbg8r1dM
Rather than reviewing this app or that, let’s take one day and see just what helps with writing, and with the business of writing.
LINKS:
John Finnemore’s “Yellow Car” game: https://youtu.be/nq8KrAx26mM
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/c/WritersGuildGB
Car filming by Angela Gallagher: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZ04ayshcG6ey7Q933G9Pg
CARPLAY MUSIC (NOT) FEATURED:
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here – She & Him: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/why-do-you-let-me-stay-here/315251745?i=315251802
Because the Night – Patti Smith: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/because-the-night-remastered/318312565?i=318312862
Once in a Lifetime (Live) – Texas: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/once-in-a-lifetime-bonus-track-live/623438311?i=623439318
Cold, Cold Heart – Midge Ure: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/cold-cold-heart/802938621?i=802938777
Manic Monday – The Bangles: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/manic-monday/397587066?i=397587067
Runaway Train – Soul Aslyum: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/runaway-train/370145563?i=370145586
PODCAST SHOWN:
Podcast: 99% Invisible episode 494: Flag Days: Unfolding a Moment: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/flag-days-unfolding-a-moment/
THE DAY’S APPS:
1 Watch alarm on Apple Watch: https://apple.com/apple-watch-series-7/
2 Shortcuts changing Watch face: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcuts/id915249334
3 Siri: https://www.apple.com/uk/siri/
4 Bunch: https://bunchapp.co
5 Keyboard Maestro: http://keyboardmaestro.com/main/
6 TextExpander: https://textexpander.com
7 Hazel: https://www.noodlesoft.com
8 OmniOutliner: https://www.omnigroup.com/omnioutliner
9 Final Draft: https://www.finaldraft.com
10 Timer on iPhone: https://www.apple.com/iphone/
11 Finder (on all Macs)
12 Mail (on all Macs)
13 Trainline app on iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/trainline-book-train-tickets/id334235181
14 Preview app on MacBook Pro (reading script) [Doctor Who] ( (on all Macs)
15 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3MRVFu4
15a: Middlemarch Kindle book: https://amzn.to/39yrVEW
15b: A Widow for One Year Kindle book: https://amzn.to/3tCZZ9P
16 OmniFocus: https://www.omnigroup.com/omnifocus
17 Fantastical: https://flexibits.com/fantastical
18 HB Clock: https://hbclock.com
19 Citymapper: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/citymapper-all-your-transport/id469463298
20 Apple Maps (on all Macs)
21 Apple Music: https://www.apple.com/apple-music/
22 Calendar in CarPlay (on all Macs)
23 RingGo: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ringgo-parking-park-pay/id342898717
24 Safari (on all Macs)
25 Drafts 5: https://getdrafts.com
26 Reeder: https://reederapp.com
27 Pixelmator Pro: https://www.pixelmator.com
28 Google Chrome: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-chrome/id535886823
29 Slack: https://slack.com/
30 Spaces (on all Macs)
31 Zoom: https://zoom.us
32 OBS (Open Broadcasting Software, told you I’d look it up): https://obsproject.com
33 Numbers: (on all Macs)
34 Hook: https://hookproductivity.com
35 Final Cut Pro: https://www.apple.com/uk/final-cut-pro/
36 Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com
Call it a useful tool for when you need to concentrate, or a handy way to put off doing any writing, but here’s how to make a cheap On Air light you remotely control from your Mac, iPhone or iPad.
LINKS:
Palodone On Air Light from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Gxhk9l
Stream Deck from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M75oww
9.75 meter USB extension cable from Amazon: https://amzn.to/38SUI78
Assorted HomeKit smart plugs on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GyKt3X
Buying through these Amazon links may get me some money, though frankly it hasn’t happened yet so I suspect I’ve missed a button.
Hazel is the Mac app you don’t realise you need, and then when you’ve got it, you forget it’s there. But here’s how it is always working for you, always sorting out your documents and always saving you time.
Even if you love typing, it’s better to do it writing instead of filling out forms, fiddling with difficult words to spell, or just repeatedly answering the same questions — but your iPhone can help.
Apple’s “Time to Walk” fitness feature of Apple Watch is good for getting us up off our backsides, but it’s also where writers get to spend time listening to fascinating people. New 58keys: