I can still search for the app in Spotlight, and still have a rotation of podcasts I follow, but that move out of the dock has been a big help, and I’ve also been establishing other time boundaries (e.g., no listening on weekday mornings before I go teach) and building other habits to replace and complement podcasts (music, reading, audiobooks). So I’m trying to cut down on podcast listening, and one of the big ways I’ve done that is by removing Overcast from my dock, where it used to have a prime position. But within the past year or so, I’ve realized that I spend so much time listening to other people on podcasts (I’m actually afraid to look at Screen Time stats) that I’ve stopped taking as much time to reflect on my own thoughts and make my own things. I love podcasts, especially because, like probably a lot of people, I view them as a medium that I can engage with to stay informed about topics that interest me while still being having my hands free to be productive in other ways (cooking, folding clothes, grocery shopping, those kinds of things). This is a tough one for me, and may sound odd, but even though I love using it, Overcast is the app that best fits this category for me. Personal Reading School Which app is your guilty pleasure? I try to accomplish a similar effect by setting the color of my Apple Watch face to as close a match as I can get with Apple’s standard color watch faces. That’s partly why I’ve dedicated the top left portion of my iPhone and iPad Home Screens to a color-coded Widgetsmith text widget with the name of whatever Focus Mode/context I’m in.Įven though that widget arguably isn’t as “functional” as an app icon or other more interactive widget type, the benefit I derive from having that textual reminder really drives home the reason that I’m using the device and how I’d like my intention directed at that time. I also like using color as a general reminder of context, and it’s part of how I set up my Calendar app and something I think about when assigning colors to tasks, lists, and backgrounds. Using that feature, I’ve been able to construct an individual Home Screen for each of the major parts of my life, and the three most common: Personal, Reading, and School. Relatedly, Focus Modes have become a major part of my Home Screen philosophy this past year year, especially since Apple started allowing users to tie specific Home Screens to specific Focuses (Foci?) in iOS and iPadOS. Now, I search for and launch most apps with Spotlight on my iPhone and iPad, and because of that, I’ve set up my Home Screens to give glanceable information, offer quick access to essential apps, and to help nudge me into a certain mode. I used to fill my Home Screens with folders and icons and utilize it as a launchpad for all my apps. Right off the bat, when making this post, I realized that the way I’ve used my Home Screen has substantially changed over the past couple of years. He is a teacher, he host of the podcast Creative Consumption, and he’s a swell guy. Thanks, Andrew! Home Screens: Daniel Schwartzberg Most of my Focus modes use the Photos wallpaper, and I have it randomly cycle through my favorite photos. I have different iPhone wallpapers by Focus mode. If you were in charge at Apple, what would you add or change? That is why I enjoy my hobby of app development! I love how these devices can be so personal and become a great creative and information tool. In general, so many apps and content available on a great platform. What is your favorite feature of the iPhone/iPad? My main Home Screen features the Siri Suggestions widget at the top. Instead, I’ve got a lot of what I need on Home Screen widgets, particularly using Widgetsmith. However, I rarely swipe over to the Today View. I have a ton of Today View widgets, mostly news-type widgets. What Today View widgets are you using and why? IPad: usually once a day - at night for YouTube and tv. How many times a day do you use your iPhone/iPad? Instead, I use the Notes app a lot, and it is great for my personal project notes. I definitely underutilize that for my personal use. What app do you know you’re underutilizing? However, if I had to pick one, I would say Reminders because it is my daily task go-to app. I would say, for me, I use the Photos, Calendar, Reminders, Safari, Mail, Notes, and Messages apps. Since my daily work is on a Windows PC, my productivity using my iPhone and other Apple devices is for personal and hobby productivity. I also love and daily use the App Store Connect app and, recently, the Disneyland app. He’s an engineer and an app developer ( Lifeorities and Starship SE Corps). I’ve got to know Andy in the MacSparky Labs. This week’s Home Screen features Andrew Hall.
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