Press Pause with Bill McLean

Bill McLean

Podcast that dives into a different perspective on topics surrounding technology, productivity and creativity.

  1. The Infinite Loop of Productivity Apps

    FEB 9

    The Infinite Loop of Productivity Apps

    Where to find Tom: Web/newsletter: tomfanderson.com Threads: threads.com/@tomanderson Podcast: basicafshow.com In this episode of Press Pause, I am joined by Tom Anderson from the Basic AF show to discuss the reality of being a tech enthusiast who just cannot stop switching apps. We talk about the "infinite loop" of productivity tools and why the search for the perfect setup never really ends. Tom shares exactly why he moved his entire workflow into Craft Docs, including how he managed to replace a dedicated task manager like Things 3 to keep his tasks and notes in one place. We also discuss why Apple Notes is fantastic for 90% of people but why it often falls short for power users who need features like nested documents and better export options. We also dive into the current state of AI and the potential risks of giving "agent" tools like OpenClaw unfiltered access to your computer. We debate whether installing these local bots is a productivity hack or a massive security trap waiting to happen. Finally, we cover our hardware setups. Tom explains how he uses the 13-inch iPad Pro as his main computer for 75% of his work. We also look at his home screen which reveals a shocking number of unread notification badges that somehow do not stress him out at all. 1Password Article Referenced: https://1password.com/blog/from-magic-to-malware-how-openclaws-agent-skills-become-an-attack-surface Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:09 Exploring Notes Apps and Productivity 07:45 Craft vs. Other Notes Apps 12:02 Task Management and Productivity Tools 18:00 The Role of AI in Note-Taking 25:59 The Future of AI and Personal Data Management 35:44 Integrating AI into Everyday Tools 39:08 Specialized AI Applications in Project Management 40:33 The Future of AI and Privacy Concerns 42:50 Exploring Open Source AI Tools 45:07 Navigating AI Usage Limits and Workflows 48:35 The Debate on Upgrading Tech Devices 49:28 Personal Computing Preferences and Experiences 56:18 Notification Management and Personal Preferences Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse! https://billmclean.substack.com/ Check me out on Social: https://www.threads.net/@williambmclean https://x.com/williambmclean Must-have affiliate links: ☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean 💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733 🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William ☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce ✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jy Website:www.williabmclean.com For business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    1h 8m
  2. Are Paid Notes Apps a Trap?

    FEB 2

    Are Paid Notes Apps a Trap?

    We spend so much time searching for the perfect notes app that we often forget to actually use the notes and do the work. In this episode of Press Pause, I’m looking at why I’ve moved away from the complexity of tools like Obsidian and Notion to go back to the most obvious choice: Apple Notes. For a long time, the "graph view" and complex linking were the gold standard, but for most of us, they’ve become more of a distraction than a utility. Simplicity is winning the personal knowledge management game right now and Apple’s deep integration gives it an edge that third-party apps struggle to match. We also dive into the current state of AI. While many are looking at Claude and Anthropic as the leaders, there are signs they may have fumbled their chance to unseat Google. I discuss why this might be the year Apple Intelligence changes the landscape and what it means for the future of these AI startups. Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/ Check me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmclean Must-have affiliate links:☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jy Website:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    19 min
  3. I Can't Pick A Notes App | Apple's Big AI Shortcut

    JAN 19

    I Can't Pick A Notes App | Apple's Big AI Shortcut

    I have spent the last three weeks obsessing over the same decision regarding which notes app is actually right for my workflow. Between Apple Notes, Notion, and a dozen other productivity tools, it feels like a constant cycle of optimizing and then starting over. In this episode, I break down why choosing a notes app is so difficult right now and why the system you use matters far more than the software itself.We also dive into the reality of AI subscription fatigue. After canceling ChatGPT, Claude, and Raycast, I realized that having the latest models doesn't mean much if you can't find your ideas when you need them. I share my experience trying to consolidate everything into a single reliable system and why I keep getting pulled back to the defaults.Finally, we talk about the latest updates from Apple, including the new Creator Studio bundle and their strategic move to use Google's Gemini for Siri. It is a brilliant play that limits their risk while buying time to build something better.I am curious what notes app you are currently using and if you have found a system that sticks. Let me know in the comments.Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/Check me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmcleanMust-have affiliate links:☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jyWebsite:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    27 min
  4. Can Google Fix Siri?

    11/18/2025

    Can Google Fix Siri?

    Press Pause: Tech Obsession & Remembering the Average User In this episode, I'm diving into why my latest iPhone video struck such a chord with viewers, Apple's big moves in AI (including that surprising Gemini partnership), and why the AI race might be a solution still searching for problems. We'll cover: • Why you probably don't need the Pro iPhone this year • Apple's new data-sharing requirements for third-party AI • The Google-Siri deal that changes everything • AI browsers, agents, and the struggle to find practical use cases • Updates from Craft, recent bestsellers, and more Plus, I've rebranded the show to "Press Pause" to better reflect what we're doing here—taking a step back to examine how tech and productivity actually impact our daily lives. Links mentioned: Apple Notes Essentials Guide (50% off with code BF25NOTES) https://billmclean.gumroad.com/l/wdsjz Ad-free videos on Substack: billmclean.substack.comFollow me on Threads for video ideas and tech commentary https://www.threads.net/@williambmclean Claude use cases https://claude.com/resources/use-cases?utm_source=tldrai Craft updates https://viktor.craft.me/bdbGJVKw4f2AQ2 If you're tired of tech hype and want honest takes on what actually matters, this one's for you. Must-have affiliate links: ☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean 💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733 🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William ☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce ✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jy Website: www.williabmclean.com For business inquiries: contact@williambmclean.com

    23 min
  5. Notion 3.0, New Apple OS Features, iPhone 17 Durability Concerns

    09/29/2025

    Notion 3.0, New Apple OS Features, iPhone 17 Durability Concerns

    In this episode I talk about the new Notion 3.0 updates and why they matter for you. Apple has revamped its entire operating system lineup and I share some of my early favorite features and of course scratch gate. We have seen early reports of iPhone 17 durability issues both in store and now that people have them in their hands. I cover the process they use to get the colors into the aluminum, how it provides a thin protective layer and if you should be worried about buying one of these phones if you plan on using it long term.Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/The Essential Apple Notes Guidehttps://billmclean.gumroad.com/l/wdsjzCheck me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmcleanhttps://bsky.app/profile/billmclean.bsky.socialMust-have affiliate links:🧵BlackTwist Threads Scheduler: https://blacktwist.app?aff=9mjXLl☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite cross-platform todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jyWebsite:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    24 min
  6. The Apple Event Episode! New watches, iPhones and Airpods

    09/15/2025

    The Apple Event Episode! New watches, iPhones and Airpods

    Apple has announced a bunch of new devices, including Airpods Pro, Apple Watch, SE, Series 11 and Ultra 3 and the first time a new iPhone has made its way into the lineup in what feels like forever.Come check out the iPhone 17 lineup as well and chat about everything that Apple talked about during their fall event!Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/Check me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmcleanhttps://bsky.app/profile/billmclean.bsky.socialMust-have affiliate links:☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jyWebsite:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    16 min
  7. Tech talent shifts, AI Chip Partnerships, Google's Legal Victories

    09/08/2025

    Tech talent shifts, AI Chip Partnerships, Google's Legal Victories

    This week brings seismic shifts in the tech landscape that you need to know about. Apple is facing an unprecedented drain as their top AI engineers defect to Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic, raising serious questions about the company's ability to compete in the artificial intelligence arms race. Meanwhile, the AI chip wars are intensifying with Broadcom and OpenAI announcing a groundbreaking partnership to co-develop custom AI hardware optimized for next-generation workloads. On the legal front, Google scored not one but two massive victories against Department of Justice antitrust challenges, successfully defending both their 20 billion dollar search deal with Apple and avoiding the forced sale of their Chrome browser. We'll also dive into how Uber Eats is revolutionizing tech delivery through their new Best Buy partnership, explore warnings from AI pioneers about Big Tech losing its innovative edge, and break down Notion's leaked multi-source database feature that could change how creators and project managers organize their workflows.Thomas Frank Notion video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l53K7YuHUBE&t=1360sDon't forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly tech news breakdowns and hit the bell for notifications!What do you think about Apple's AI talent problem? Drop your thoughts below!Sign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/The Essential Apple Notes Guidehttps://billmclean.gumroad.com/l/wdsjzCheck me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmcleanhttps://bsky.app/profile/billmclean.bsky.socialMust-have affiliate links:🧵BlackTwist: https://blacktwist.app?aff=9mjXLl☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jyWebsite:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    18 min
  8. More Apple Subscriptions, Big AI needs your data, Apple user switches to Notion?

    09/01/2025

    More Apple Subscriptions, Big AI needs your data, Apple user switches to Notion?

    Join me on For Perspective Season 2, Episode 5! In this episode, I discuss Apple's new AppleCare+ One subscription service that bundles device protection for multiple Apple products at $20/month for three devices. I share my experience switching from SimpliSafe to Ring home security and recommend the Scuff Instinct Pro Xbox controller. Also covering Labor Day tech deals, Apple's upcoming September 9th event, and the latest AI app rankings where ChatGPT leads with Gemini closing the gap. Finally, I dive into my productivity system evolution, comparing Apple Notes with Notion, and tease potential future content including a book club concept.Chapters0:00 - Introduction1:41 - Apple Care One Subscription Service4:41 - Labor Day Tech Deals8:39 - Apple's September Event9:19 - AI News and Rankings12:09 - Apple Notes and Notion Workflow16:06 - Future Content Ideas19:20 - Closing ThoughtsSign up for my new weekly Newsletter The Digital Pulse!https://billmclean.substack.com/Check me out on Social:https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanhttps://x.com/wbmcleanhttps://bsky.app/profile/billmclean.bsky.socialMust-have affiliate links:☀️Raycast Pro Free for 14 days: https://raycast.com/?via=william-mclean💻CleanMyMac Free for 7 days: https://macpaw.audw.net/c/6052342/263631/1733🎵 2 Months Free! Music, Footage, and More from Artlist: https://artlist.io/referral/4646734/William☁️ Backblaze computer and NAS backup: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/05ckce✅ My favorite todo app(todoist): https://get.todoist.io/ucypxtigr1jyWebsite:www.williabmclean.comFor business inquiries:contact@williambmclean.com

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Podcast that dives into a different perspective on topics surrounding technology, productivity and creativity.

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