Quite a few changes since I last posted and I’m wondering if I should do another episode about the changes?
Main takeaway is Fantastical (mainly because the widget is great), worry tree (for obvious reasons…), Tot, AirTable and Tally.
Another great guest up this week in the form of Matt Birchler and we go through a number of new apps that I am now using just in the short time since recording the show.
Home Screen:
A few weeks to get done but I’m back with Episode 2 that I have just uploaded to Anchor so should be aggregated to your podcast app of choice soon.
This week I have a guest in Daryl Baxter who I got to know via Twitter and our mutual love for the iPad.
Here’s the screenshot that we will be going through.
Thanks again to everyone for the positive feedback and if you have any guest or show suggestions (or you’d like to come on please let me know).
Having talked about my setup on Home Screens I’ve changed things up a little.
This is for a few reasons
Any new apps you’re checking out?
Another creative project that I’ve kicked off as a distraction for both myself and hopefully others who are into other people’s setups.
Please let me know if you enjoy it or think of ways that I can improve.
I really appreciate anyone that listens or subscribes, I’m learning this one as I go.
I’m simplifying my setup (again!) after falling out with several third party apps and going stock apps. I’ve also moved all of my apps into one page. I usually have two pages but moving to one means I remember what apps I have and to actually use them. I always forget I have some great photography apps like Darkroom so again having them in my face is a reminder. Talking of Reminders I’m slowly moving into using Reminders and now use a stock Calendar/Reminders/Notes workflow. The thing that bothers me is the lack of updates to these apps but for the basic way I’m using it all is ok. iCloud seems ok so I’ll just get on and use it and report back if I have any sync issues.
I like to keep a few third party apps on outside of folders such as Wordpress to let me quickly write posts up like thus one. I’ve given up on using iA Writer now I just quickly jot ideas down in notes and write the post in the Wordpress app.
I’m pretty happy so far with this setup.
Few new apps I’m testing out this month
Think that’s it at the moment, layout isn’t great but I’m trying to keep apps open so the way I’m using my phone is changing slightly.
I love sharing how I’m using my devices and here’s another monthly update on how my devices currently look. Up this time is my 10.5” iPad Pro.
I’m keeping it simple when it’s comes to productivity at the moment using Fantastical and Reminders. I’m going to give this a go for a bit to see if it sticks. All of my iCloud issues seem to have settled down with Reminders for now so I’ll give it another go.
Other than Streaks (to hopefully help a few habits stick) it’s a pretty standard setup with a mix of photo, video and social apps.
Feel free to drop me a note if you want to delve into any.
I am a little concerned with the battery and overall performance of my iPad Pro though. If I try apps that push it like GarageBand or iMovie I’m getting slow down and app crashing and hanging, very weird. The battery also looks to be suffering with it’s age. I’m 1000 days in with this one, not planning on getting a new one just yet in the hope new models come out this year.
Been a lot going on so I’ve trimmed my home screen down as I get through the Christmas period. Only apps I’ve really been using lately are Notes (sync seems fixed now), DayOne (journaling) and Todoist (simplicity of keeping to do lists).
I’m planning on using Headspace and MoodNotes more in the new year but for now they sit there as a reminder.
How’s your home screen looking as we close out 2019?
Sticking with a fairly basic home screen this month. Loved snapseed to the main page now I’m using it more and more. Reeder is how I’m catching on any news and my favourite blogs. Omnifocus is my productivity app of choice. Notes is syncing again so I’m testing it out. Finally I’m getting more into shortcuts so I’ve moved that onto my front page.
My second page is a bit of a dumping ground so not that well organised more reference apps as and when I need them.
Refreshed my iPhone and coming back from Android decided to try some new apps.
It’s weird after coming back from Android I’m enjoying more third party apps.
I’m still getting to grips with Android but here’s my setup.
It’ll most probably change a bit daily but here’s my starting point.
This months home screen update. No huge changes here, updated to match my iPad one from the other day. Most distractions moved to the second page and I’m now using screen time to limit certain apps to 30 minutes a day, such as Micro.blog.
Thought I’d post an update to my home screen on my iPad Pro 10.5”. Recently newly setup my warranty replacement so this is pretty new, literally just got to setting up today.
As you can see I’m still using Emoji for my folders
Then just the apps that are used more often on the home screen and my dock.
Apps are pretty consistent but moved back to OmniFocus. Despite rumours of a refreshed Reminders I have zero confidence in Apple’s ability to create a good app these days so I’m sticking with third party for my productivity. I am sticking with Notes however as it does everything I need it to and sync is reliable.
Made a few changes to my workflow so wanted to share a revised home screen.
Now I’m taking my break from Twitter I’ve taken the apps off my iPhone and simplified a little.
The main new workflow is using GoodTask for my productivity. I’ve settled on iCloud and using the Reminders backend with a better front end makes the most sense for me at the moment.
I’ll report back on if GoodTask sticks and any new apps I’m testing next month.
New year so thought I’d test some new apps and share my first home screen of 2019.
Things 3 and NightCap are two new apps that I’m testing and seeing if they fit into my workflow.
Things 3 was meant to be a test of the dark mode but it looks so good it might become part of my daily routine.
NightCap is a photography app that I’m hoping allows me to get better low light images and astronomy photos.
Oh, also trying to use Micro.blog more so for their app for quick posts to here.
Last one for 2018 and a few changes.
Few new experiments including getting back into using Omnifocus and Noteability.
New additions
New apps: Dark Sky, Todoist, Fantastical and Calm.
As with my iPhone, I’m going to share my second used device I own. This is from my 10.5” iPad Pro.
Some highlights this month are.
Marvel Unlimited continues to be a monthly subscription for me. I enjoy chilling out reading comics and this app has a huge amount to choose from.
Wordpress is the best way I’ve found to run a blog from an iOS device. Since switching from Squarespace I haven’t looked back.
Workflow is an app I’ve dabbled with but am determined to understand and use better.
Ferrite is the app I am going to try and record a podcast from iOS with.
I want to get into the habit of sharing my home screen once a month to show you how I’m using my devices and the apps I’m currently using.
Here are a few highlights from August.
Todoist is my current app of choice for managing my life. I’ve gone back and forth but for this month I’ll be testing it out.
I’ve dropped all social media except for Twitter. I cannot use the official app with its ads and poor content filtering. Tweetbot is my app of choice.
Halide is a tester for me, I’m going to give shooting in RAW a go for some shots to see if it gets close to my DSLR for certain types of shots.
Headspace is there as another tester to see if I can get into meditation.
Lastly Fortnite is there for when I get two mins between tasks as a break or if I’m out and about waiting for an appointment etc.
As part of trying to be more mindful about how I use my device I’ve simplified my home screen a lot. Here’s how it’s currently setup
When I want to launch apps I use spotlight.
This is my setup for now, I'll report back on how it's helping me spend more time focussed on where I want to be using my smartphone.