John Voorhees

2957 posts on MacStories since November 2015

John is MacStories’ Managing Editor, has been writing about Apple and apps since joining the team in 2015, and today, runs the site alongside Federico.

John also co-hosts four MacStories podcasts: AppStories, which covers the world of apps, MacStories Unwind, which explores the fun differences between American and Italian culture and recommends media to listeners, Ruminate, a show about the weird web and unusual snacks, and NPC: Next Portable Console, a show about the games we take with us.

@johnvoorhees
@johnvoorhees
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@johnvoorhees.bsky.social
[email protected]

This Week's Sponsor:

Winterfest 2024

The Festival of Artisanal Software

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Comfort Zone

“The gang has so much to be thankful for, including you, dear listeners. ❤️

Oh yeah, and they find new ways to listen to music before being revealing their absolute favorite Apple app.”

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon discuss Steve McQueen’s Blitz, new Apple Original documentary Bread & Roses, and the first episode of Concert for One featuring an immersive performance by RAYE.

MacStories Unwind

This week, a Thanksgiving guessing game, neighborly pies, NotebookLM, the Infamous Cousin Dave’s emoji habits, and getting started with retro gaming.

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Over 400 Indie Apps On Sale From Black Friday Through Cyber Monday→

It’s almost Black Friday, and Matt Corey gathered indie developers to organize an app sale that runs from November 29 to December 3rd, 2023. Corey, the maker of Bills to Budget, Signals for HomeKit, and other apps that are part of the sale, has put together a collection of over 400 apps that will be offered at a discount tomorrow and Wednesday. The list is too long to publish here but includes many we’ve covered here on MacStories and on Club MacStories in the past, including:

There are a lot of great deals, and many more than what’s listed above, so be sure to visit Indie App Sales for all the details and support these great indie apps.

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The Latest from AppStories and Ruminate

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, John is joined by his NPC: Next Portable Console co-host Brendon Bigley for a conversation about Control Ultimate Edition coming to the Mac, Bluesky, a friendly interrogation about the apps and gear Brendon uses, and more.

On AppStories+, Brendon and John talk about videogame tracking apps and services.

This episode is sponsored by:

Ruminate

John and Robb consider the legal ramifications of telling people to drink McRib sauce, John nearly gets caught up in notebook hype, then they both discuss Sill, Bluesky, and cross-posting.

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The Best Amazon Black Friday Gadget Deals, as Selected by the MacStories Team

There’s a lot on sale during Amazon’s weeklong Black Friday event. I’ve been combing through the deals and found some great gadget buys, which I’ve summarized below. For even more deals, Club MacStories+ and Premier members should visit our Black Friday Discord channel, where members are sharing the deals they find throughout the week, too.

Apple and Beats Hardware

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (32% off)

This isn’t quite the best deal I’ve seen on AirPods Pro 2, but it’s close. With Apple’s new hearing protection and assistance features, the AirPods Pro 2 are more capable than ever, so it’s a good time to refresh an aging pair or pick up your first.

Apple AirTag Four-Pack (26%)

I have AirTags on my luggage, on my backpack, and in my glasses cases. Amazon’s Black Friday deal is one of the lowest prices for a four-pack that I’ve seen.

Apple Watch Series 10 (18% off)

It’s wild to me that the Apple Watch Series 10 is already 18% off on Amazon, which is the best deal available since the wearable’s launch according to CamelCamelCamel. I’m sticking with my OG Apple Watch Ultra, but the Series 10 is tempting at this price.

Beats Solo 4 (50% off)

Beats is going all out for Black Friday with 50% off the Solo 4 headphones in various color. I haven’t used either model myself, but Devon recently reviewed the Beats Solo 4 in the Club MacStories Monthly Log. I’m a fan of the Beats Fit Pro, which I’ve been using for about a year whenever I run outdoors; unfortunately, the Fit Pro model isn’t on sale this week.

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Apple Announces 45 App Store Awards Finalists for 2024

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Today, Apple announced the finalists for its App Store Awards, a selection of apps picked by the App Store Editorial team each fall to recognize “exceptional user experience, design, and innovation from developers across the world.”

This year’s awards are a little different than in the past. 2023 was the first time finalists were announced, so that part isn’t new. But this year, Apple has expanded the number of categories from 10 to 12 and increased the finalist count from about 40 to 45 to include apps and games for Vision Pro. It’s also notable that the finalists were introduced in a press release last year by Phil Schiller, while this year’s awards are being introduced by Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of Worldwide App Store, who had this to say about the finalists:

We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s App Store Award finalists, whose imagination and craftsmanship have produced amazing apps that users love. From games that transport players to fantastical new worlds, to apps that fuel creativity, these developers are delivering remarkable experiences that captivate and inspire.

Let’s take a look at the categories and finalists as they’re described in Apple’s press release.

iPhone App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the iPhone App of the Year category empowered users to enhance real-life experiences through personalized tools and easy-to-use features:

Kino, for turning everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces. 

Runna, for offering tailored training plans to runners of all experience levels. 

Tripsy, for keeping travelers organized and stress-free.

iPhone Game of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the iPhone Game of the Year category brought players captivating narratives with rich visuals and compelling characters:

AFK Journey, for building enchanting fantasy worlds with striking battles. 

The WereCleaner, for delivering comical and creative gameplay. 

Zenless Zone Zero, for immersing players in action-packed storylines.

iPad App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the iPad App of the Year category inspired imaginative play and creativity:

Bluey: Let’s Play, for delivering lovable characters and family-friendly fun.

Moises, for elevating music practice with AI-powered tools.

Procreate Dreams, for bringing animated stories to life.

iPad Game of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the iPad Game of the Year category featured dynamic storytelling and beautifully crafted worlds:

Assassin’s Creed Mirage, for transporting players into a world of narrative-driven adventure. 

Disney Speedstorm, for bringing exciting, high-speed racing experiences. 

Squad Busters, for combining the thrill of competition with welcoming, playful gameplay.

Apple Arcade Game of the Year

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Apple Arcade Game of the Year category offered epic stories and a refresh of the classics:

Balatro+, for inventing a thrilling card game that’s like no other.

Outlanders 2, for captivating players with revamped graphics and imaginative levels.

Sonic Dream Team, for introducing new adventures to the characters players know and love.

Mac App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Mac App of the Year category delivered powerful tools, helping users tackle projects with ease:

Adobe Lightroom, for enhancing the photo editing process with AI-powered features. 

OmniFocus 4, for fostering focus with simplified task management.

Shapr3D, for transforming the 3D design workflow.

Mac Game of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Mac Game of the Year category brought gamers unique protagonists, visual style, and endless fun:

Frostpunk 2, for expanding on the city-building genre.

Stray, for capturing both mystery and playfulness in its dark world. 

Thank Goodness You’re Here!, for amusing players with nonstop humor and absurdity.

Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Apple Watch App of the Year category provided convenient access to helpful tools and information, right on their wrist:

LookUp, for improving vocabularies with daily definitions.

Lumy, for connecting users to the rhythms of the sun and moon.

Watch to 5K, for giving runners a boost, all the way to the finish line.

Apple Vision Pro App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro App of the Year category pushed the boundaries of spatial computing:

JigSpace, for empowering users to view 3D and augmented reality models with ease. 

NBA, for redefining the future of how users watch the sports they love.

What If…? An Immersive Story, for inviting players into a new kind of Marvel experience.

Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year category stunned players with vibrant scenes and intuitive gameplay:

Loóna, for crafting relaxing puzzles to unwind with.

THRASHER, for introducing smooth, trailblazing controls and a mesmerizing alien world.

Vacation Simulator, for taking players to destinations filled with funny characters and even funnier activities.

Apple TV App of the Year Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Apple TV App of the Year category brought stunning experiences to the biggest screen in the home:

DROPOUT, for providing endless laughter and fun.

F1 TV, for transporting fans straight into the cockpit of a race car. 

Zoom, for keeping groups connected in innovative ways.

Cultural Impact Finalists

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finalists in the Cultural Impact category brought users powerful stories and helped them bring out their best selves to create a lasting impact:

Arco, for letting players shape their own story. 

The Bear, for turning bedtime into a calming, interactive experience. 

BetterSleep, for helping users sleep — and feel — better. 

Brawl Stars, for delivering quick bites of action-packed gameplay. 

DailyArt, for inspiring curiosity about artistic masterpieces. 

Do You Really Want to Know 2, for addressing misconceptions about HIV through an endearing interactive story.

EF Hello, for empowering language learners with AI-enhanced tools.

NYT Games, for uniting puzzle lovers across generations with a daily dose of fun.

Oko, for making street-crossing safer and more accessible to all.

Partiful, for simplifying social gatherings to foster connection and community.

Pinterest, for inspiring new ideas and endless possibilities. 

The Wreck, for telling an intimate and impactful story via cinematic gameplay.

As always, it’s great to see MacStories favorites like Kino, Tripsy, Procreate Dreams, Balatro, OmniFocus, LookUp, Arco, and others among the finalists. Apple says the winners will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Comfort Zone

Matt brings his latest obsession, Niléane wants to talk about Bluesky, and Chris challenges the gang to automate something.

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon highlight the return of Silo, dive in to The Weeknd’s immersive music video for Open Hearts, and share their thoughts on Disclaimer following its seven-episode run.

MacStories Unwind

This week, Netflix is making sexy holiday movies, Federico is warming himself with GaN chargers and batteries, and I check out the latest Deadpool movie in the Vision Pro, share a new Apple Music playlist, and have a movie deal for listeners.

Read more

A Peek into the Past Through the Lens of the Early iPhone’s Camera→

Riley Walz has created a marvelous couch potato project that peeks into a different era of the iPhone and YouTube. The idea behind Walz’s project, which I stumbled upon thanks to a story written by Umar Shakir at The Verge, is simple. The project is called ‘IMG_0001,’ because, as Walz explains:

Between 2009 and 2012, iPhones had a built-in “Send to YouTube” button in the Photos app. Many of these uploads kept their default IMG_XXXX filenames, creating a time capsule of raw, unedited moments from random lives.

Walz was inspired by Ben Wallace to build a website around the videos after Wallace wrote about discovering these videos. Walz found over 5 million videos with the IMG_XXX title on YouTube, which now feed into the IMG_XXXX website where they can be randomly played.

When you need a break, visit Walz’s site and watch a few videos. Filmed with early iPhones and iPod Touches, the quality isn’t great, but there’s something about these snippets of everyday life that someone decided to upload that is mesmerizing to watch. Projects like this are what make the open web great.

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Creating Gradients with Your iPhone and an App Clip→

Recently on AppStories, I asked listeners to suggest apps for creating gradients. I’ve tried a few, but none have grabbed me yet, so I’d sort of given up for the time being. But then a listener suggested something totally different and amazing: a prototype App Clip that uses your iPhone’s camera to create gradients.

It isn’t a complete app. For instance, you can’t save a captured gradient to your photo library; instead, you have to take a screenshot of the gradient. That isn’t ideal, but the lack of functionality doesn’t take away from the concept, which I love.

A wallpaper made with Kandravy's App Clip.

A wallpaper made with Kandravy’s App Clip.

When the App Clip launches, it presents you with just three adjustable sliders that control things like the diffusion of the image your camera is recording and its saturation. Once you’ve framed a gradient you like, tapping the screen freezes the image so you can take a screenshot and start using the gradient as a wallpaper. Another option is to use an image from your photo library to create a gradient. Adobe has something similar baked into its Capture app for the iPhone and iPad, but it’s more complicated and only generates 640x640-pixel images that aren’t suitable to be used as wallpapers without doing additional work in another app.

The App Clip was created by Dominik Kandravy, a designer who is looking for a developer to turn the prototype into a full-blown app. I’m hoping Dominik can find someone to help because the simple elegance of the prototype is compelling.

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Shazam Crosses 100 Billion Songs Recognized

According to Apple, Shazam has recognized over 100 billion songs, a staggering number of songs. To help put the milestone in perspective Apple shared some statistics:

  • That’s equivalent to 12 songs identified for every person on Earth.

  • A person would need to use Shazam to identify a song every second for 3,168 years to reach 100 billion.

  • That’s more than 2,200x the number of identifications of Shazam’s top song ever, “Dance Monkey,” with over 45 million tags.

  • Shazam Predictions 2023 alum Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” was the first track released this year to hit 10 million recognitions, and the fastest, doing so in 178 days. At that pace, it would take more than 4,800 years for it to hit 100 billion.

Those are fun statistics, but what’s equally incredible to me is the fact that Shazam hit the 50 billion mark just over three years ago in 2021. The app obviously isn’t slowing down, despite being older than the iPhone and App Store themselves:

Shazam launched in 2002 as an SMS service in the UK, and back then, music fans would dial 2580, hold up their phones to identify music, and receive the song name and artist via text message. Shazam’s following and influence continued to grow in the years that followed, but it was the 2008 debut of the App Store and introduction of Shazam’s iOS app that brought its music recognition technology to millions of users. By the summer of 2011, Shazam had already recognized over 1 billion songs.

Fun fact: The first song ever matched by Shazam was Jeepster by T. Rex. It makes you wonder what the 100 billionth song was. Also, if you’d like to listen to the top 100 Shazamed songs, Apple has a playlist for the occasion:

Shazam has come a long way from its SMS roots and is now sprinkled throughout Apple’s OSes. It’s a testament to how a fundamentally great idea can evolve alongside technological advances.