## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=0s) - This episode is specifically for writers who use Macs, [[IPhone | iPhones]], and [[IPad | iPads]], and it's about the best new [[MacOS | Mac]] app updates, which often come out at this time of the year after [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] has added its annual new features [(00:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=29s). - App developers bring out their biggest updates, changes, and improvements during this period, and existing users usually get great new features for free [(00:00:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=36s). - The new features can also tempt users to try new apps, and the buzz around the updates can make users hear about an app for the first time, which can become very useful to them [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=68s). - The focus of this episode is on the Mac, and five significant updates will be discussed, which are not writing tools but make using the Mac better and leave more time to concentrate on writing [(00:01:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=93s). - There is also a sixth update that is exciting, but it's not a writing tool, and it will be discussed at the end of the episode [(00:02:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=122s). - A list of times to skip to will be provided, and a clickable version of the list will be available in the description, allowing users to jump to the updates that interest them [(00:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=151s). - The updates might be thrilling for users who already have the apps, but they might also tempt users to try new apps, and the updates are considered very useful [(00:02:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=166s). ## Hazel [(00:03:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=205s) - Hazel is a Mac-only app that watches folders and files, then performs actions based on the user's preferences, making it a highly recommended tool for every [[MacOS | Mac]] user [(00:03:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=205s). - The app can automate tasks such as organizing invoices, creating emails, and attaching files, by kicking off shortcuts and keyboard Maestro actions when it detects new files in a specified folder [(00:03:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=229s). - Hazel can also sort and organize images by automatically creating folders based on the date they were created and moving the images into the corresponding folders [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=271s). - Additionally, the app can be set to delete images that are more than a day old, keeping the user's image folder organized [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=286s). - New features in Hazel version 6 include the ability to revert a file to its original location if it was moved incorrectly, which can be done by right-clicking on the file and choosing the "revert" option [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=311s). - Hazel can also look inside documents, such as [[PDF]] invoices, to extract information and use it to rename the file and move it to a specified folder, even if the PDF is password-protected [(00:05:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=324s). - The app costs $42 to buy new, but users with a previous version can update to the new version for $20 [(00:06:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=377s). ## Raycast [(00:06:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=396s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that can be useful for users, and it belongs to a genre of apps called launchers, which make it faster to find files, launch apps, search online, and access information on the Mac [(00:06:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=397s). - Launchers are apps that allow users to quickly access various functions by pressing a keystroke, which opens a bar where users can type in commands, similar to Spotlight but with more options [(00:07:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=459s). - Raycast is a new launcher app that is quite good and offers features such as launching apps and searching online, and it has recently added the ability to jot down notes [(00:07:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=473s). - To use the note-taking feature in Raycast, users can press a keystroke, type "create note," and start writing down notes, with the free version allowing up to five notes and the paid subscription offering unlimited notes [(00:08:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=502s). - The free version of Raycast is considered generous, but users can also pay $8 a month for additional features, including unlimited notes, and it is worth trying out, especially for those who are not already using a launcher app [(00:08:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=525s). ## CleanMyMac [(00:09:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=548s) - CleanMyMac is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that helps users free up storage space by deleting unnecessary files, including duplicate downloads, unused languages in apps, and other items that take up space on the drive [(00:09:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=574s). - The app has been updated with a revamped interface and new features, such as the ability to find duplicates of any file type, not just downloads [(00:10:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=606s). - CleanMyMac can also identify photos that are not duplicates but are very similar, a feature also available in Apple's Photos app [(00:10:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=613s). - In addition to cleaning up storage space, the app now includes features like checking battery health for [[MacBook Pro]] and [[MacBook Air]] users [(00:10:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=625s). - CleanMyMac is available through the Setapp subscription service, which offers over 200 Mac apps for $10 per month, or it can be purchased directly with an annual subscription starting at $40 or a one-time fee starting at $120 [(00:10:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=652s). - The price of CleanMyMac varies depending on the number of Macs on which it will be installed [(00:11:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=671s). ## Default Folder X [(00:11:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=679s) - Default Folder X is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that provides quick access to favorite folders, recent folders, and everything else, making it a valuable tool for users who already utilize the app [(00:11:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=684s). - The app is deeply integrated into Mac OS, requiring the developer to work hard to keep it functioning with new versions of Mac OS, including macOS [(00:11:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=700s). - The developer had to work to ensure compatibility with the latest macOS, and any issues with the app not working have now been fixed [(00:12:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=727s). - Default Folder X provides a convenient way to access folders and files, allowing users to navigate through folders and subfolders quickly and easily [(00:12:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=755s). - The app's search function takes into account how recently a file has been used, nudging recent files towards the top of the search results [(00:13:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=801s). - The latest update to Default Folder X includes improvements such as full compatibility with macOS and enhanced search functionality [(00:13:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=783s). - Default Folder X costs £40, making it a worthwhile investment for users who value its features and functionality [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=807s). ## Perplexity for Mac [(00:13:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=809s) - Perplexity is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that allows users to access the Perplexity DOAI service, which is considered useful despite some controversy surrounding the company's ethics [(00:13:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=817s). - The app is available for free, with an optional upgrade to a pro version that offers more features, although the pricing is unclear, with two different options listed in the UK Mac App Store: £420 or £200 [(00:17:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1024s). - The app has some issues, including a lack of perfection and an unfinished feel, with the help option not functioning properly and keyboard shortcuts that conflict with other apps [(00:14:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=875s). - The app's keyboard shortcuts are customizable, but only when the app is first installed or when it is restarted, and the option to change shortcuts is hidden on the front title screen [(00:16:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1002s). - One specific issue is that the app uses the command shift D shortcut, which conflicts with the shortcut used in [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Mail to send emails [(00:15:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=950s). - Despite its flaws, the app is still considered useful, and the free version is used frequently, although the controversy surrounding the company's ethics has made it difficult to consider upgrading to the pro version [(00:14:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=888s). ## Final Cut Pro 11 [(00:17:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1037s) - [[Final Cut Pro | Final Cut Pro 11]] is a video editing software for [[MacOS | Mac]], and Final Cut Pro 2.1 is available for the [[IPad | iPad]], both being part of Apple's video editing software offerings, alongside [[IMovie | iMovie]], which is free on every Mac, [[IPhone | iPhone]], and iPad [(00:17:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1047s). - The new update to Final Cut Pro brings features that will improve the quality of 58 Keys videos and speed up the process of making them, allowing for more time to write [(00:18:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1097s). - The update is free and major, with [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] continuing to improve the software over time, unlike other companies that may charge for updates [(00:18:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1124s). - The new features in Final Cut Pro 11 are exciting for those who use the software, but may not be enough to convince users of other video editing apps to switch [(00:18:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1083s). - iMovie has also received a small update, although the details of this update are not specified [(00:17:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4&t=1063s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECHkhdpD_4?si=IJnGWCcrpUfJVve7)