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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #044

Welcome to Issue 44 of “What’s New in Shortcuts” – I’ve returned after a week off and am back at it again!

This week we got a new beta, but it’s a bit rocky still – I’m seeing slowdowns, missing Apple Watch actions, and tweaks to permissions mean beta users have to reauthorize every step yet again.

But there’s still more to learn thanks to a handful of podcasts that’ve come out the last few weeks – and there’s some big changes to the Shortcuts Catalog I want to tease:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #043

Welcome to Issue 43 of “What’s New in Shortcuts” – this week we saw developer beta 4 and another public beta, bringing a new action to Shortcuts, a new feature, and stability improvements.

Plus, the newsletter finishes off with a set of Power automations, both with full screenshots and linked shortcuts you can copy yourself.

But before we get into everything, a programming note – I’m out next week on vacation, so I won’t be sending an issue next Friday, August 6th. After that, I’ll be returning to the normal schedule on August 13th.

Until then, here’s what’s new this week:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #042

This week, I spent a lot of effort furthering my Home Screens – and I think I got to a pretty good place to write things up soon.

I also spent my time researching Shortcuts for Mac, building out Apple TV shortcuts, and working ahead on some new guides for the future.

Otherwise, there’s lot’s to share this week – let’s dig in:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #041

Welcome to Issue 41 of “What’s New in Shortcuts”!

This week we saw the release of developer and public beta 3, which has brought some overall stability to iOS, but unfortunately more bugs in Shortcuts as well.

Read on for my set of free shortcuts, new member shortcuts, feedback I’ve submitted to Apple, more apps adding Shortcuts support, new automation ideas, and a spotlight on cross-platform actions with a note from the Things team – lots to enjoy this week:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #040

Welcome to Issue 40 of “What’s new in Shortcuts” – and to mid-summer!

With the public betas out last week and another developer beta still on the way, we’re in between the latest features and fixes for common bugs – but this time I’ve pushed through the issues and made some new shortcuts for all you folks.

Plus, I discovered a handful of actions for Apple Watch and Files that I’d missed – read on to get all the details:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #039

Welcome to Issue #39 of “What’s New in Shortcuts” – the public betas are out!

The brave-hearted can sign up here on Apple’s website, but be cautious as there are many Shortcuts-related bugs specifically that you are almost guaranteed to run into.

That being said, the more Feedback filed to Apple, the merrier we’ll be with a fully-operational version of Shortcuts – I’m submitting my own regularly, so I hope you are too.

Along with that, I’ve got a lot of links to share, updates on more Mac apps getting Shortcuts support, and a preview of how Mac users can script Shortcuts itself:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #038

Welcome to Issue #38 of “Welcome New in Shortcuts”!

We’re now two weeks out of WWDC and, with the second developer beta now out, there’s plenty to learn about Shortcuts before the public betas come out in July.

This week, I’ve got a new interview, tons of information about Shortcuts for Mac, great ideas from r/Shortcuts, more podcast coverage, tweets about the betas from Ticci, and one previously unknown feature coming to the Mac:

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #037

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Welcome to “What’s New in Shortcuts?” Issue 1 of the iOS 15 season!

Before we dive in to all the exciting changes announced at Apple’s WWDC, some housekeeping:

  • First, I wasn’t able to send one of the previous week’s newsletter as I was travelling to visit my family – if you can take time off to be with family once you’re vaccinated, I highly recommend it.
  • Second, I have moved my newsletter to Revue, hence the design changes and subsequent delay this last WWDC week (I foolishly waited until the last minute to import my subscribers and they put my account under review for the weekend).
  • Third, the newsletter will be send out regularly on Fridays starting June 25th as well – I’ve experimented with multiple schedules and think this will work best along the changes to the Shortcuts User Group (more below).

And finally, thanks for reading!

I love sharing what’s happening with Shortcuts, passing along everything new I’m creating for the Catalog and Membership, and hearing from readers about what you’re learning – I hope you get something useful from it every week.

With all that said, here’s everything you need to know about Shortcuts coming out of Apple’s annual developer keynote – let’s dig in:

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Offsite Podcasts

Smart Tech Today 80: 2021 Smart Home Predictions ?

On episode 80 of Smart Tech Today, Mikah and I talked about the following:

Follow-ups from Google IO, Google Assistant tweaks, and smart home changes this week. Plus HomeKit gear, Apple Watch apps, and our thoughts on the latest Apple products. And our smart home predictions and picks of the week.

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Membership Offsite

Stream: Working with the Notion API (pt. 2)

On Friday, May 28, I hosted another stream teaching people how to use Shortcuts with the Notion API.

Last time we covered the basics, got our database IDs, pulled & opened posts, and created new entries – check out the member post to get the shortcuts we created in the first session.

This time, we went into more specific data objects as well as updating pages and creating more of a Shortcuts system on the front-end.

Become a member to get access to the stream, plus you’ll get:

  • New shortcuts on an ongoing basis
  • Extra ways to browse the catalog when you’re signed in
  • Prerelease notes & workflows I’m putting together
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What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #036

Welcome to Issue 36 of “What’s New in Shortcuts”!

I’ve had the new iPad Pro and the Siri remote for Apple TV in my hands for a few days now and I wanted to give members a digest of my thoughts before I create videos on each.

Plus, I’ve got a new set of shortcuts to go along with Flexibits’ apps, new Notion shortcuts, and a bundle of good links for you all – plus how I’m using Shortcuts with Apple TV:

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Offsite Podcasts

Smart Tech Today 79: A Very Googley I/O Episode ?

On episode 79 of Smart Tech Today, Mikah and I talked about:

  • Global Accessibility Awareness Day
  • Apple’s new hardware releases
  • Google IO
  • Our latest picks
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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #035

Hello folks,

This week we’ve got new iMac and iPad Pro reviews, my iPad Pro is arriving Friday, and we’re just weeks away from WWDC and new announcements for the next year of software for Apple devices.

Plus, there are new APIs to tap into, a new IDE for Shortcuts that more coding-oriented folks can use to build shortcuts, and I’ve been playing around with several fun shortcuts as I prepare for my last few videos before the beta season – check it all out:

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Membership Offsite

Member stream: Working with the Notion API

Hey members!

Here’s my livestream for the Notion API where I guide you through how to use Shortcuts with the Notion API.

We covered API basics, learned details on Notion’s specific JSON architecture, and experimented with the type of content we create in Notion – we ended up with three shortcuts (linked for members):

  • Copy Notion Database ID
  • Open Notion Page
  • Add Notion Page

Catch the replay below to go back through everything – and check out part 2 as well.

Access the stream by becoming a member – plus you’ll get access to all the members-only shortcuts plus:

  • New shortcuts on an ongoing basis
  • Extra ways to browse the catalog when you’re signed in
  • Prerelease notes & workflows I’m putting together
  • Exclusive livestreams teaching you more about Shortcuts
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Newsletter Offsite Podcasts

Smart Tech Today 78: Project CHIP Rebrands as Matter ?

On episode 78 of Smart Tech Today, Rosemary (in for Mikah) and I talked about:
– Project CHIP’s new name – Matter
– Amazon’s Sidewalk network and new product releases
– Apple’s AirTags and Rosemary’s 3D printing adventure

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #034

Hello folks,

This week we’re in the shortcut dip between new Apple products shipping – but that just leaves more room for Shortcuts fun really.

Next week I’ll have more fun stuff to share, especially as we head towards the summer beta season – and be on the lookout for new streams in the calendar too:

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Offsite Siri Shortcuts Video

Automation for AirTags: what the U1 chip means (beyond finding lost devices)

Apple’s new AirTags are their cheapest standalone product, yet I think they’re one of the most interesting released in a while.

And that’s because of the U1 chip inside – now the fourth Apple product besides iPhone, Apple Watch, and HomePod mini to include one.

This ultra-wideband technology has super-precise tracking technology, which I think could enable a whole new wave of automation capabilities for Apple devices.

I made a video that explains my thoughts on what I’m calling “Spatial Awareness for Siri” – you can watch the whole thing on YouTube in under 3 minutes:

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Offsite Podcasts

Smart Tech Today 77: Interview with Jonathan Hui, Google & Thread ?

On episode 77 of Smart Tech Today, Mikah and I talked to VP of Technology for The Thread Group, Jonathan Hui – plus:

Laptops as smart displays, Nanoleaf’s smart remote, and ceiling fans with HomeKit

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Newsletter

What’s New in Shortcuts – Issue #033

Last Friday, the iPad Pro went up for pre-order as AirTags were arriving – I’m getting the 12.9” 1TB model to review and will be sharing my thoughts with members soon after I get my hands on one.

As for AirTags, there’s not a whole lot related to Shortcuts—Chris Lawley determined that they can indeed be used for NFC automations—but I’ve got an inkling of how they might be useful in the future… I’m making a whole video on it, so stay tuned to the YouTube channel this week.

Otherwise, I’ve got productivity shortcuts, conversations from the User Group, and quick links for you to check out this week – plus a blurb about the return of Get Variable:

Categories
Offsite Podcasts

Smart Tech Today 76: Explaining Thread Enthusiasm ?

On episode 76 of Smart Tech Today, Mikah and I talked about:

iOS 14.5’s changes to Apple Maps, Siri voices, default music services, and Fitness+ – plus AirTags, HomeKit devices, and Thread.