Sponsor: Audio Hijack: The Mac’s Best Audio Recorder and More ⇢

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With Audio Hijack, you can record any audio on your Mac. Capture audio from individual applications like Safari or Zoom, hardware audio devices like microphones and mixers, or even the audio output of the entire system.

Audio Hijack

If you can hear it, you can record it. Whatever you need to do with audio on your Mac, Audio Hijack can help.

  • Record conversations from Zoom, FaceTime, and other VoIP apps
  • Save streaming audio from the web
  • Create podcasts, both remote and in-studio
  • Digitize vinyl
  • And so much more

Now, Audio Hijack is easier to install than ever before. With a new installer-free setup, you can get started in seconds. Visit the Audio Hijack site to download the free trial and give it a try.

One more thing: through the end of September, 512 Pixels readers can save 24% by purchasing with coupon code SMH24. Act fast!

‘Apple silicon Mac mini (5 Port)’ ⇢

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Joe Rossignol:

Apple has seemingly leaked the rumored next-generation Mac mini with five USB-C ports, according to a code change within Apple software that was discovered today by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

The code refers to an unreleased Mac mini model with an Apple silicon chip and five ports, which lines up with a previous report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that said the next Mac mini will be equipped with five USB-C ports. Similar to the Mac Studio, Gurman said two of the ports will be located on the front of the new Mac mini. Technically speaking, at least some of these ports will likely be Thunderbolt 4 ports, which use the USB-C connector design.

The string in question reads “Apple silicon Mac mini (5 Port).” Whoops.

I am intrigued by what this smaller Mac mini could bring, and what it could enable folks to do. The Mac mini finds itself in all sorts of places where other computers just won’t fit. A small, more power efficient model will only extend those possibilities.

Widgetsmith 7.0 ⇢

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Widgetsmith is getting a really fun update for iOS 18:

Widgetsmith 7 on iOS 18 includes new ways to use your widgets to perform useful Actions from your Home screen, Lock screen, and Control Center. Actions allow you to quickly launch an app, run a Shortcut, make a call, send a text, or play music. Actions are chosen from our curated and ever-growing list of options and can be easily personalized.

The things you can build with this are really, really cool:

Widgetsmith 7

Actions extend from Home Screen widgets to Control Center and the Lock screen as well. Widgetsmith can be everywhere with iOS 18.

Widgetsmith 7 in Control Center

Having worked with David Smith for nine months, I’ve been through several app update cycles, but working on a big one for a major new version of iOS was a lot of fun. Seeing him in UNDERSCORE MODE up close is super impressive, and what he’s done with Widgetsmith 7 is great. It also makes this iOS launch day feel differently to all of others I’ve seen over the years. Go check out Widgetsmith in the App Store!

Reminders MenuBar ⇢

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I recently switched back to Reminders for the 10,000th time, and came across this really cool Mac app that adds Reminders (and a quick-add text box) to your menubar. It belongs on the same list as InstaRemind when it comes to making Reminders easier — and faster — to use on macOS. InstaRemind’s quick-add feature is more customizable, but Reminders MenuBar puts actual tasks in its drop-down, which is pretty slick.

Polaris Dawn Completes First Private Spacewalk ⇢

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Emma Roth:

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn astronauts successfully performed a spacewalk, marking the first done by a private company. After depressurizing SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, the billionaire funding the mission, Jared Isaacman, emerged from the spacecraft early Thursday morning.

With his torso and head fully sticking outside the capsule, Isaacman performed tests on SpaceX’s new spacesuits, which are designed for increased mobility. “Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do,” Isaacman said during the spacewalk. “But from here, it sure looks like a perfect world.”

Isaacman’s Polaris Program is a huge St. Jude supporter. The dude is out here making history and trying to solve childhood cancer.

No Mo’ Chemo

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On June 25, 2010, our son had his “No More Chemo” party at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, at nearly 20 months of age:

No Mo Chemo

These parties are one of my favorite things about life at St. Jude:

Confetti, singing and cheering aren’t what you think of when you think of a hospital. But St. Jude isn’t just any hospital. And when patients receiving chemotherapy finish treatment, we celebrate with a No More Chemo party.

For Josiah’s party, the room was full of the medical staff that had been with us on his journey. Together, we got to celebrate how far our son had come in his short life. In May 2009 when Josiah was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, we knew none of the people in the room.

By June 25, 2010, they were family. They had worked day and night, for months, to help save our son’s life. They had seen us at our lowest moments, always ready to point us toward hope.

St. Jude is in the business of hope, and these parties are one teeny tiny part of what makes it such a special place. Your generous support allows St. Jude to keep working until the ultimate “No More Chemo” party can take place — the one we’ll all throw when the threat of cancer is a thing of the past, for all children, everywhere.