From yours truly on YouTube:
I’m excited to share a new addition to my membership program – discounts on great apps with Shortcuts support.
Sign up for the membership program.
Current apps:
- Together Board
- Plinky
- Paku
- Progress
- Tasks
- MindNode
- Cuevello
- One Sec
- Auralog
- Pop Out Timer
- Email Me
- Monologue
See the full Shortcuts Catalog.
Browse the Shortcuts Library.
Check out the Action Directory.
Check out the launch announcement post and watch the video on YouTube.
I’ve started a megathread on Reddit for all the updates coming to iOS 27 for Shortcuts, covering everything found in the current developer betas.
I’ll be updating it each developer beta and as more stories pop up in r/shortcuts – here’s the outline of everything in there so far:
- Describe a shortcut
- Automations
- Notification
- Keyboard
- Storage
- Otherwise If
- New action groups
- Lists
- Text
- VPN
- Sharing
- Accessibility
- Messages
- Photos
- Reminders
- Get What’s On Screen
- Cloud Pro, Broad World Knowledge in Use Model
- More
- Shortcuts Programming Language
- Feedback
I’ll be posting much of this here on my blog as well, but I’m trying to contribute more as a moderator for r/shortcuts 😇.
Check out the thread on Reddit and subscribe to r/shortcuts.
Accidentally wrote the perfect tweet – a technically-true point that can be wildly interpreted, which went viral on Twitter (and of course Grok got slightly wrong):
Former Apple engineer1 Matthew Cassinelli disclosed that the company conducts much of its internal operations using its own iWork apps, including Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, as a key aspect of its dogfooding practice. This revelation, shared on X and garnering over 15,000 engagements, highlights Apple’s commitment to testing products internally to drive improvements, with proprietary backend tools enhancing functionality for its needs. While users praised the apps’ integration and usability in areas like Keynote and Pages, criticisms focused on Contacts’ cumbersome interface and the occasional reliance on tools like Excel for complex tasks.
A few clarifications (you can find in more detail in the replies):
Plus, while you’re here – if you’re ever running into speed problems with apps like Contacts or Calendar, you should look into Shortcuts. For example, the new Use Model action for Apple Intelligence makes tasks like processing contact information much easier to build within a few steps.
View the story from Trending on X2.
This content is marked as members-only – you’ll need a membership to access it.
From my stream with Rudrank Riyam on YouTube Live — tune in:
This week, developer Rudrank Riyam, author of the AiOS Dispatch newsletter, joins me to talk about his experiences developing for Apple platforms using AI-assisted coding, and what we’re interested in ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC).
Subscribe to the newsletter here: https://aiosdispatch.com
From my stream with Vidit Bhargava on YouTube Live — tune in:
This week, designer and developer Vidit Bhargava joins me to talk about his framework for app development centered around designing actions first, particularly as it relates to Apple Intelligence.
Read about the framework here: https://blog.viditb.com/action-centered-design-framework-talk/
Chapters (generated with Descript):
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:32 Guest Background and App Development
03:45 Evolution of App Design
05:56 Action Centered Design Framework
08:46 Designing for Multiple Platforms
13:21 App Intents and Practical Examples
16:52 Future of App Design and AI Integration
48:14 Demo and Practical Applications
57:06 Exploring App Intents and Practicality
57:27 Challenges of Mobile AI Implementation
58:12 Battery Life and AI Advancements
58:53 Apple’s Approach to AI and Actions
01:01:35 The Future of Shortcuts and Automation
01:03:38 Innovative UI and Interaction Design
01:08:53 Custom Interactions and Maintenance
01:10:27 Generative Coding and Platform Variability
01:15:17 AI and App Intents in Real-World Applications
01:33:59 Economic Models for AI-Driven Apps
01:41:20 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects
From my stream with Connor Hammond on YouTube Live — tune in:
AI consultant and app developer Connor Hammond joins me to talk about the future of app development in a world of AI, particularly in relation to Apple’s App Intents APIs.
We discussed questions such as:
- What does it mean to develop with AI at your side?
- As AI tools speed up development, how can app developers harness new capabilities within Apple’s schedule?
- If App Intents is Apple’s strategy, what does that mean for all AI platform?
- How can apps take advantage of App Intents to deploy their functionality across Apple’s platforms?
- How do AI-enabled apps provide more value than the AI tools themselves?
On Sunday, September 8, on the Mac Power Users podcast, I had the pleasure of joining hosts David Sparks and Stephen Hackett – here’s the show notes:
Matt Cassinelli joins the show to discuss his background with Workflow and Apple and how it led to him becoming the “Shortcuts Guy.” The group then discusses Apple’s automation tools across its platforms, and how those tools have extended to the web.
Check out the Mac Power Users in Apple Podcasts or listen to the episode below:
From yours truly on YouTube:
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is underway for 2024 and one of the big announcements out of their keynote is Apple Intelligence, their big artificial intelligence play.
Check out the recap of the announcement and all the capabilities coming – and stay tuned for follow-up videos where I cover each feature in-depth.
From Issue 105 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
WWDC is just two weeks away and iOS 17.5 has been out along with new iPad Pros for a bit now, bringing new Shortcuts actions for Puzzles in Apple News, a Squeeze gesture for Apple Pencil Pro that can run a shortcut, and Vocal Shortcuts coming as an accessibility feature next year.
On my front, I’ve been guesting on MacRumors and Automators to wrap up the end of the year, gave a big presentation to the iOS Developer Happy Hour group about App Shortcuts for developers, and set up a variety of folders in the Shortcuts Catalog.
I also don’t normally like to tease stuff, but I’ve been reaching Peak Home Screen and Peak Stream Deck, with lots more in store for the summer – I have Elgato gear to give away at WWDC too ?.
From Issue 104 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 104 of What’s New in Shortcuts!
We’re far out of the Apple Vision Pro hype cycle and WWDC tickets are in developers’ inboxes already – however, iPad rumors are still swirling for May as well.
iOS 17.4 has been released, which brought new actions to Shortcuts for the Action button, as well a general stability that’s been much needed – there are still Feedback reports to file for 17.5, however.
In the Shortcuts Catalog, I’ve been going deep on entertainment shortcuts, plus Mac window management on the livestream. Plus, I linked to many videos, app updates, and stories worth checking out.
Here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
From Issue 103 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
This issue is full of Apple Vision Pro links, and my return to YouTube with one unboxing video, a livestream, and a concept video – plus handy media shortcuts, a fix from Feedback, app updates you might’ve missed, and new Tim Robinson-inspired AirTag gear?
And, to finish it all off, two announcements!
From Issue 102 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 102 of What’s New in Shortcuts!
In this first issue of the new year, I’ve recapped everything from December and early January – from multiple sets of shortcuts I’ve released, to news about former Shortcuts team members, to the upcoming Apple Vision Pro launch.
Plus, I’ve redesigned the front page of my site – check it out: matthewcassinelli.com.
Until next time, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
Read the full issue on MailerLite.
From Issue 101 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 101 of What’s New in Shortcuts!
Since the last issue in September, I’ve entirely moved from California to Oregon—hence the lack of regular issues as of late—while Shortcuts has gone pro in a big way as one of the main features of the new iPhone 15 Pro – the Action button.
I’ve collected a swath of Action button ideas from the community, shared a big set of apps that are updated for iOS 17, and released a whole new collection in the Shortcuts Library – including a massive new section for members.
Plus, for today only, there’s a special Cyber Monday discount on annual memberships – get your subscription locked in before the price goes up next year.
And, just to leave you with a teaser, I have my first set of Apple review units to cover soon – iPhone 15 Pro, M2 iPad Pro, and the OG Apple Watch Ultra… ?
Until next time, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
On Saturday, November 18, I had the pleasure of joining KTLA’s Rich DeMuro as a guest on Rich On Tech to talk about Shortcuts – my segment starts around 53:00:
Rich discusses iPhone 15 Pro impressions, using shortcuts on iPhones, Wi-Fi tips, and answers listener questions about laptop batteries, cleaning PCs, and using eSIM cards.
Check out Rich On Tech in Apple Podcasts or listen to the episode below:
On Thursday, September 28, I had the pleasure of joining Tim Chaten as a guest on iPad Pros to talk about:
Matthew Cassinelli is back for our 6th annual catchup on what’s new with Shortcuts! Shortcuts 7 is now available for iPadOS 17, iOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma! If you want to listen to our past episodes; check out episodes 41, 42, 58, 90, 91, 122, 149, and 151.
Check out iPad Pros in Apple Podcasts or listen to the episode below:
From Issue 100 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 100 of What’s New in Shortcuts!!
Since the last issue mid-August, things have slowed down as developers gear up for iOS 17 and the betas stabilize a bit more.
We have some good news around Alex Hay’s apps, a new release of Obscura, and I’m ramping up podcasting again with Clockwise and my second members-only show – I talk about a lot of updates coming soon in that episode.
Otherwise, I wanted to thank you for your support as a reader of my newsletter – here’s to the next 100 issues!
Until next time, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
From Issue 99 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Since the last issue at the end of July, we’ve seen two beta releases – and with it, a major change to Shortcuts automations in the form of Location automations gaining true background support.
Plus, App Shortcuts are coming to Apple Watch and HomePod – make sure to read up on the limitations, however.
Further, the Camera app actions teased in the developer sessions are now out – I got to test them in a real-life situation at a music festival this weekend.
Also, I made Apple Music’s new Discovery Radio into a shortcut, and released a set of Keynote shortcuts I’ve been using lately for some client work.
Otherwise, we’re looking ahead at the home stretch ahead of the full iOS 17 release coming in September – I hope apps are updating their App Shortcuts for Spotlight!
Until next issue, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
Read the full issue on MailerLite.
From Issue 98 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 98 of What’s New in Shortcuts!
Since the last issue in mid-July, news has been a bit quiet on the Shortcuts front thanks to a delayed second public beta – developer beta 3 was a bit rough, and now beta 4 is out today along with the public beta late in the he day.
As such, I held off on a few stories related to beta features that I have yet to cover, so my Automations and Widget coverage are coming tomorrow morning instead.
However, I did discover a new action in the betas, plus uploaded my new Threads scraping tool to the Library too – shortcuts are live now, and stories on those are coming later this week as well.
Otherwise, I published a couple of holdover posts on Threads, a few interesting tips related to power user features you might use if you’re a Shortcuts fan, and a series of linked posts to check out.
Until next issue, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts:
From Issue 97 of my Shortcuts newsletter:
Welcome to Issue 97 of What’s New in Shortcuts!
It’s been too long since my last newsletter – but we’re back just after the iOS 17 public beta, with coverage in full swing after my post-WWDC vacation (and first case of COVID ?).
Since last time, I’ve revamped my process for the Shortcuts Catalog, restarted regular coverage on my blog, dug deep on YouTube videos (coming very soon), and, last but not least, have just published the first episode of my new membership podcast.
My goal with these changes is to cover the same material I’ve always published in the newsletter, while exposing each story to a larger audience. Plus, this change makes it feasible to produce regular newsletters now that I’m without a tool with quick integrations like Revue – I’m using MailerLite’s excellent RSS integration instead.
Members will also receive more frequent, shorter emails covering new members-only content when it is published – look out for those in your inbox if you’re subscribed.
And, as always, you can subscribe to all my blog posts using your feed reader of choice using matthewcassinelli.com/rss.
Until next issue, here’s what’s new in Shortcuts: