Technology

I avoid the Mac App Store as much as possible. It's buggy. It's slow. Apps are getting pulled from it left and right. But I couldn't avoid it permanently because of software updates. As macOS Sierra 10.12 rolled out, I clicked on the App Store, followed by updates, and...

I couldn't get the updates page to open. Killed App Store. Restarted computer. Everything.

After doing some research, I discovered there's a way to update software from the terminal: softwareupdate. So, after running one command (sudo softwareupdate -iv), I'm writing this from the latest version of macOS Sierra.

As this is my first year of writing about apps, I wanted to do something this Christmas: thank the apps and writers that made this year such a special year. I have broken down my favorite iOS and OS X apps and articles.

As there are many great apps this year, it is impossible to catalog them all. So I have decided to break it down to my personal favorite, runner-up, and a selected few honorable mentions.

Congratulations to everyone who made the list, and I hope to see you all next year with the wonderful things you create in the coming year.

iOS

This was the second biggest year for iOS developers, runner-up to the introduction of the App Store. iOS 8 expanded the capabilities of what the iPhone and iPad could do. Thanks to extensions and continuity, iOS has never been more powerful. A more powerful iOS means more powerful apps.

With so many apps, there are equally so many opportunities. Applications that were never possible before are now on the App Store—not to mention the Today View widgets, keyboards, extensions, and so much more.

This is why the runner-up Workflow is such an intriguing, new app; it builds on the power and functionality of iOS. However, the winner this year is Overcast.

Winner: Overcast

Among the podcast renaissance, Overcast shines as the most notable choice for iOS enthusiasts. There are many features that make Overcast shine, apart from the developer and Accidental Tech Podcast host Marco Arment. The favorite features: Smart Speed and Voice Boost.

Smart Speed is without a doubt my favorite feature in any podcasting app. It builds upon the current speed setting, and skips pauses and gaps in audio to save minutes or hours a week. The best part of it all? The fact that I never notice the boost in speed. Sometimes I don't believe that Smart Speed is on, only to check and realize it's on 1.2x or even 1.3x speed. Furthermore, the Voice Boost works just as the name suggests, boosting the voice and nothing more. With the suppressed iPhone speaker, sometimes it is impossible to hear podcasts through the background noise when I'm doing dishes, laundry, or just dealing with outside noise. The accuracy of Smart Speed and Voice Boost is unmatched, and quite frankly I don't think there is any podcast app that is comparable to it.

In addition to Smart Speed and Voice Boost, Overcast also features intuitive playlists, a customary and elegant iOS 8 appeal, a huge directory of podcasts, Twitter recommendations, and curated playlists. There are other things that Overcast doesn't do that simply delight me: it never pesters you to buy the in-app purchase if you haven't purchased it, never nags for a review, and the decision to not incorporate top lists. Plainly, everything about Overcast delights me.

Overcast is free on the App Store, with a $4.99 in-app purchase to "unlock everything"—Smart Speed, Voice Boost, unlimited playlists, and more.

Runner-Up: Workflow

The newly-released app by the team at DeskConnect is an exceptional example of iOS automation. With many powerful actions, variables, and automation tools, Workflow is amongst the most powerful apps within the App Store. The possibilities are almost endless.

Of the many things possible via Workflow, some of the workflows I have forked and created from the internet can do things never before possible on iOS, such as:

• Markdownifying webpages
• Cross-posting images to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Annotating and deleting screenshots
• Getting all my calendar events and sharing availability
• Getting a random dining option

Though it is most certainly a power-user app, the interface is simplistic enough that just about any user can unlock its full capacity.

Workflow is $2.99 on the App Store.

Honorable Mentions

• 1Password: my go-to password manager, an app that I use religiously. With an encrypted vault, powerful password generator, and Launch Center Pro capability, I could not think of an app that deserves a more honorable mention.
• Launch Center Pro: an application that takes advantage of iOS's URL schemes, adding the potential to create powerful shortcuts and workflows.
• Editorial: the most powerful text editor on iOS. Editorial supports Markdown, plain text, TextExpander, custom workflows, and so much more.
• Evernote: my central note-taking app. On iOS, I use the Evernote share sheet more than any other, simply because it's so simple yet powerful.
• Tweetbot: my Twitter experience. I use Tweetbot over Twitter simply because of the iCloud syncing, no advertisements, more powerful mute filters, better font options, and better appeal.

OS X

I took a different approach than what most people are doing—instead of showcasing apps that took full advantage of Yosemite, I wanted to show off the most-used applications on my Mac.

Granted, Yosemite did bring a visual redesign that brought a downright beautiful experience to the Mac; however, this was not the only change to the Mac. Continuity brought about a more seamless Mac experience, making things like Handoff and Text Message Forwarding possible. Many other little things got an upgrade, like Mail, Notification Center, and Spotlight.

Ironically, even though Spotlight got a major improvement, this year's winner is Alfred 2, with runner-up being 1Password.

Winner: Alfred 2

As this is my first year doing favorite apps, what better app to introduce than one I use most: Alfred. Alfred was amongst the first set of apps I downloaded on my first MacBook—it was the best decision I have ever made. Since January 27, 2014, I have used Alfred 15,867 times, averaging 49.0 times per day. There is no app that comes to mind that I have used nearly as much.

After the Yosemite reveal, Spotlight was revamped to have more of an Alfred appeal; however, Spotlight cannot replace Alfred (and will unlikely ever replace Alfred). Granted, Spotlight and Alfred do similar things: they launch files, can give directions and addresses, provide contact information, and offer many shortcuts that save me hours a week.

So why is Alfred so important to me? Simple: workflows and expanded functionality. I am not confined to the default features of Spotlight—I can make or fork workflows. Instead of just launching apps, I can also kill and quit apps. If I have an app to look up, I don't have to search via the Mac App Store. That would be tiring. Instead, I search via Alfred. Find Evernote notes? There's a workflow for that. Netflix search? Workflow for that. The possibilities are only constricted by my imagination.

Alfred 2 is free via their website, and the Powerpack price varies.

Runner-Up: 1Password

1Password is an application that I use religiously—on iOS and OS X both. With a visual overhaul to match Yosemite's flatter and translucent design, 1Password makes password management actually enjoyable.

1Password brings 21st-century peace of mind in an internet filled with malicious intentions. Being the powerhouse of security, password storage, and password management that 1Password is, you can sleep safe and sound knowing your passwords won't be compromised.

1Password is $34.99 on the Mac App Store or the AgileBits website.

Honorable Mentions

• TextExpander: saves time by expanding short abbreviations into frequently-used text.
• OmniFocus: my choice for task management. OmniFocus is an unparalleled task manager that is simply unmatched by any other application on OS X.
• iStat Menus: a utility that quickly displays the statistics of my MacBook. Currently, I have many items enabled: CPU history and CPU cores, memory used/free, disk activity, bandwidth and bandwidth history, sensors, and time. Everything I need quick access to is a glance away, and more in-depth statistics are a click away.
• Bartender: with so many iStat Menus enabled, there is no space for menu items—my solution is Bartender. Bartender has all of my menu items outside of iStat Menus, including Backblaze, Dropbox, TextExpander, and 1Password.
• Yoink: after dragging and dropping time and time again, you might realize how frustrating it can be sometimes; Yoink brings a solution. Every time you drag something, Yoink slides a little window to store that file in—and keeps it there until you're ready to drop it somewhere. Simple yet so powerful.

Merry Christmas!

App extensions. PhotoKit. HealthKit. Touch ID for all. Those are few of the many capabilities iOS 8 has brought as it has finally shipped to the public as of 12:00 PM on September 17th. iOS 8 brings much more capabilities to your phone, and Tim Cook even said it will be the biggest update since the App Store. On the Apple developer site, a basic gist of iOS 8 can be described as:

iOS 8 includes over 4,000 new APIs that let you add amazing new features and capabilities to your apps. Deeper integration with iOS means you can extend the reach of your app content and functionality. And with bold new technologies for game development, you can create even more incredible, responsive, and immersive gaming experiences.

Here is our breakdown of the most important features of iOS 8.

The Compatibility

First things first, no need to get hyped up if your phone is not supporting iOS 8. The devices that support iOS 8 are as follows:

• iPhone 4s
• iPhone 5
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone 5s
• iPod touch 5th generation
• iPad 2
• iPad with Retina display
• iPad Air
• iPad mini
• iPad mini with Retina display

App Extensions

Quite possibly the biggest feature of iOS 8 has to be the added extensions, which allows extending an "app's functionality and content throughout the system by supplying an app extension—code that enables custom functionality within the context of a user task."

It may be difficult to grasp at first, but essentially it allows the app to reach bounds outside of just within the app. An example of extensions would be the Today View, like OmniFocus's Today View widget.

Another popular example is 1Password—the popular password manager. Instead of having to constantly exit an app or webpage that requires a password to go into 1Password, it is much easier to have 1Password allow a popup with a Touch ID request to give you access to that particular app or webpage.

Which brings us to another new capability: Touch ID.

Touch ID

Touch ID had very limited usage in iOS 7. It was restricted to first-party apps made by Apple and the lock screen. With iOS 8, this is no longer the case. Apple has created an API that allows third-party developers access to this capability. And do not worry, it is completely secure.

Instead of getting the actual user fingerprint, the API simply asks iOS if the fingerprint provided matches the fingerprint initially provided and returns a yes or no token. No third-party developer will have access to user fingerprints.

HealthKit

Coming into iOS 8, something that might jump right out is the new Health app.

The Health app synthesizes all the health apps' information, fitness devices' information, and M7 processor information (for distance traveled and steps traveled) and brings all of it into one, safe location.

HealthKit enables third-party developers to provide data for the new Health app, upon which you can choose which sources are allowed to provide data for the Health app.

Continuity - iPhone, iPad, and Mac Connected Like Never Before

Continuity provides a seamless experience when collaborating with an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apps work beautifully together, making a transition from a Mac to iPhone/iPad and vice versa easier than ever—and in some cases, eliminated.

The three main counterparts of Continuity are Handoff, SMS Relay/Phone Calls, and Personal Hotspot.

Handoff

Imagine this: You get an email, read it, start typing back and realize something—the reply is going to be longer than you expected and you really wish you used your MacBook. You wish you could simply just open your Mac and there it is for you to finish typing. With Handoff, this is easier than ever.

Handoff lets you pick up where you left off. Not only does it do this in Mail, but Safari, Messages, Calendar, and you can expect many more from Apple and plenty of third-party developers.

SMS Relay and Phone Calls on the Mac

One of the biggest frustrations with Messages on the Mac was that it was limited to iMessage only—this is no longer the case. Macs are now empowered to send text messages through your iPhone.

Personal Hotspot

Not connected to WiFi? No problem. If your carrier supports tethering, just by clicking WiFi and having Bluetooth enabled, you can enable your iPhone's WiFi hotspot.

Interactive Notifications

Tired of having to unlock your iPhone to reply to a message? Want to archive a mail message by swiping down on the notification? Accept or decline an invitation in a snap? You got it.

More Powerful Messaging

Apple has now entered the messaging wars, and iMessage has never been more powerful.

In a standard message screen, the biggest difference is the send button is replaced by a microphone icon and the contact is replaced by details. The microphone is used for audio messages, but in a more simplistic way than ever before. Holding down the icon records a message, sliding up sends the message, and sliding left deletes the message. The messages are then only kept after playing once to conserve storage. As for the details, it breaks it down into multiple items:

• Contact
• Send My Current Location
• Share My Location
• Do Not Disturb
• All Attachments

Muting a noisy conversation is finally possible. Finding an image that was sent a long time ago is now easier than ever. Finding out when your spouse is home from the grocery store (or other, more curious reasons).

Spotlight Search - Bigger. Brighter.

Spotlight is no longer restricted to apps and data specific to your iPhone only. Spotlight can now suggest websites, apps, give showtimes, find iBooks, and more.

iOS 8: The World's Most Advanced Mobile OS

iOS 8 brings more functionality than ever before. Extensions, Touch ID compatibility, interactive notifications, and a seamless experience are only a few of the many features brought about. Not only is iOS more intuitive than ever, but it is more elegant than ever. The hardware works perfectly with the software. It is no question: iOS 8 is the most advanced mobile operating system.