Jonathan Reed, a watchOS reviewer for MacStories and Club Mac Stories Discord Community Manager, joins the hosts to explore the intriguing world of watchOS 11. He shares his thoughts on using the new features and tools that enhance fitness and web browsing directly from the Apple Watch. The conversation dives into his favorite apps, including Mu Browser for on-the-go surfing and Ulysses for writing. They also discuss the latest developments in task management and the importance of community engagement in the evolving watchOS landscape.
Jonathan Reed highlights daily watchOS 11 features like training load and activity rings that enhance user fitness management.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of community engagement through Jonathan's contributions, fostering discussions in the Mac Stories Discord community.
Deep dives
Transition to Video Content
The episode discusses the shift towards incorporating video content alongside audio in the show. While some listeners appreciate this addition, others express concerns that the video format may cause important contextual information to be lost. The hosts acknowledge this feedback and emphasize their commitment to maintaining a balance between the two formats. They aim to preserve the unique qualities of both audio and video presentations for their audience.
Role of the Club Mac Stories Community Manager
Jonathan Reed, the Club Mac Stories Discord Community Manager and watchOS reviewer, is introduced as a special guest. His role is highlighted as vital to enhancing the Mac Stories experience by fostering community discussions in Discord. He is credited with compiling these discussions into the Mac Stories weekly newsletter, showcasing his contributions to the team. Jonathan shares insights about managing the club's community and the importance of engagement among members.
Insights on watchOS 11 Features
The conversation includes a post-review check-in on watchOS 11, where Jonathan reveals some daily features he relies on. He particularly appreciates the training load feature, which motivates him to improve his fitness, and the flexibility of the activity rings that alleviates pressure on low-activity days. Other features like sleep tracking and the Vitals app are mentioned, along with a recommendation for a third-party app called Athletic that offers more comprehensive tracking capabilities. The double tap API feature also receives praise for enhancing app interactions on the watch.
Apps and Task Management Preferences
Jonathan discusses his app preferences, revealing that he uses Ulysses for writing and prefers Reminders for task management. The ease of using reminders for personal and shared lists illustrates his straightforward approach to productivity. He shares his experience with a read-later service, Omnivore, which is undergoing shutdown, prompting him to consider alternatives like Readwise Reader. This segment highlights Jonathan's adaptability and willingness to explore new tools while maintaining his familiar workflows.
This week, Federico and John are joined by Jonathan Reed to check in on the parts of watchOS 11 that he’s still using, talk about browsing the web from an Apple Watch, and dig into the apps he uses day-to-day.