Ulysses Turns 19

Ulysses, a writing app and markdown editor, turns 19. It adds material sheets, mouse and track support on iPad and keywords in Markdown Files and provides various fixes.

This writing app offers a different approach to turning your ideas into text. The basic unit is not so much a document but rather a “sheet.” A sheet is where the nugget of your idea, sentences or paragraphs are entered. Once you have created several sheets, you can order and nest them into groups for export in various ways.

By storing your Ulysses file in the cloud, you can work from your Mac or iOS device anytime the urge or impulse to write strikes you. The developer states “On iPad and iPhone, you’re now able to embed external folders from locations in the Files app, such as cloud storage providers or Git clients, and edit the contained files with Ulysses.” The ability to sync requires a subscription.

A main idea behind this writing app is to help the writer spend more time getting the thoughts down and less time worrying about formatting. The goal is to take the stress off of what the finished document will look like and help the attention be focused on the ease of entering the text and idea.

 Apple recently introduced mouse and trackpad support for iOS and Ulysses takes advantage of this.

You can try Ulysses for free. Download it from the App Store. All subscription plans contain a free trial. It is fully functional and syncs to all your Macs, iPads and iPhones.

So, if you are interested in trying out a new way to think about document creation, check out Ulysses.

Nike Training Club Premium Free

 

This morning, after my morning run, in my Nike Run Club app was a message. Nike is trying to help us all stay healthy and active by providing its premium training for free until further notice. Right now, it is only available in the US.

The description of the app is as follows:

Nike Training Club helps you reach your fitness goals. Get fit anytime, anywhere with free workouts across strength, endurance, yoga & mobility.

Every exercise and drill features our world-class Nike Master Trainers. From bodyweight workouts to full-equipment exercises, discover personalized workout recommendations, just for you.

FIND WORKOUTS FOR ALL LEVELS

The Nike Training Club workout library includes:

• Body-part focused workouts targeting your abs, arms, shoulders, glutes, and legs

• Strength, endurance, yoga, and mobility workouts

• Workout times ranging from 15-45 Minutes

• Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels

• Low, Moderate and High Intensity

• Bodyweight only, Light and Full Equipment

• Time-based and Rep-based options

You may want to take advantage of this offer. The message is reproduced below. Make sure you download the NTC App, not the Nike Run Club app.

At Nike, our world is sport, but sport is not our whole world.

We’re evolving as the world evolves and we want to help you stay healthy and active with your fellow teammates because now, more than ever, it’s one of the most important things for all of us.

We’re all playing as one team, so starting today and until further notice, we’re giving free access to NTC Premium to all Nike Members.

Update your NTC App to the most recent version to enjoy on-demand class-style workouts, programs, and expert tips.

GET NTC PREMIUM

FAQs
I am currently subscribed to NTC Premium on my Apple device, can I get a refund?
Monthly Subscribers: We recommend you cancel your subscription to enjoy the same NTC Premium content you already love for free.
Annual Subscribers: You’ll need to request a refund directly from Apple.

I am currently subscribed to NTC Premium on my Android device, can I get a refund?
Monthly Subscribers: We recommend you cancel your subscription to enjoy the same NTC Premium content you already love for free.
Annual Subscribers: Please contact us.

When will NTC Premium be available in other countries?
Currently, NTC Premium is only available in the US. We are looking to expand into more countries.

Sidecar (Extended Desktop and More) Details

Earlier this year, Apple announced the Sidecar feature available with the installation of MacOS Catalina and iPadOS 13. Essentially, this allows your compatible Mac and iPad to work together using the iPad as an external touch monitor and more.

The “features” include: Extending or mirroring the desktop via wired or wireless connection, Multi-Touch gestures on the iPad, Touch Bar support even if your Mac does not have it, use of Apple Pencil for Mac apps that support drawing tablets and more.

Apple has published a Sidecar White Paper PDF available for viewing and download. You can also read more about set up and the system and hardware requirements here.

You can modify Sidecar functionality from the Mac System Preferences > Sidecar. These allow you to choose where to show the sidebar and Touch Bar on your iPad screen, and allows certain supported features when you double-tap on the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).

A requirement that is sometimes overlooked is that both compatible devices to be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID. Also, if using the feature wirelessly, both devices need to have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff turned on, be within 10 meters of each other and neither the iPad is sharing its cellular connection nor the Mac is sharing its Internet connection.

Flow by Moleskine

Flow by Moleskine is not just another app for those wanting to get ideas down on paper, it’s a productivity tool that allows you to fine tune what you want to capture on “paper” when inspiration strikes. This universal iOS app recently won an Apple 2019 design award.

The app features different drawing tools that can be fined tuned to your liking and saved. You can change nibs and ink flows. There are a wide variety of combinations and colors available and easily selectable. You can choose between different paper styles and colors.

Although there are some limits placed on tools and paper, there are more than enough combinations available. You can also export and share your work. The ability to undo in a variety of ways also makes this app useful.

The app is free to try for a few days. After that, there is a monthly or annual subscription price. Right now, following WWDC 2019, there is a 60% discount on the subscription. ($1.99 per month / $11.99 per year) It is not clear how long that may last.

You can also sync between iOS devices when you use the same Flow account.

So, this alternative to Paper is certainly worth trying.

 

 

Ulysses v16 – Ghost Publishing and iPad Split View

Ulysses is a great app for writers and others trying to get thoughts down and for publishing blogs. Using iCloud, you can work on your Mac and pick up where you left off on your iOS device and vice versa.

V 16 has new features and fixes. The new features include the ability to publish articles to the Ghost platform and a full featured iPad split view. So, in landscape orientation, you can keep two editors open at the same time or see an export preview while editing.

The ability to sync between iOS devices and your Mac requires a subscription.

 

iWork for iOS updated

Apple’s suite of apps for presenting, creating documents and keeping up with numbers has been updated for iOS.

Keynote has the following updates and improvements:

• Make It Move – draw a path with your finger or Apple Pencil to animate an object across the slide
• Animate Objects – Add emphasis to presentations with action build effects, including move, rotate, and scale animations
• Animated GIFs – Create and share an animated GIF by exporting one or more slides
• Edit presenter notes while presenting or rehearsing a slideshow
• Improved performance while collaborating on presentations

Pages has the following updates and improvements:

• Table of Contents View
• Save and Sync Shapes
• Create and Sync Templates

Numbers has the following updates and improvements:

• Table Improvements – Make precise changes to table row and column counts and sizes with the Format pane
• Sync Templates – Create templates to use as a model for new spreadsheets, and access them on any device using iCloud
• Smart Categories Enhancements – Performance and usability improvements to Smart Categories
• Increased maximum zoom level to 400%

To update, on your iOS device, go to App Store > Updates and select the apps to update.

 

 

Things 3 for iPad Update Brings Dark Mode

Things 3 for iPad is a $19.99 paid app that allows you to collect and organize your thoughts to help you plan your time for all of your To-Dos.

The most recent update adds the “dark mode” appearance. In the app, tap on the gear icon > Appearance > Dark. You can also “Switch Automatically” based on the display brightness.

To learn more about Things 3, watch the video below and check out the FAQs.