ShortCasts ShortCasts Team

About: New HomePod Abilities and ShortCasts Podcast Player

Anchor voice message link: https://anchor.fm/shortcasts/message

We have a new Twitter account: @ShortCasts1

An exciting new announcement, the ShortCasts Podcast Shortcut. You can use this shortcut to listen to recent episodes of the show. Get it here: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/3a58edc4ad1c4eada013f6cea7d420e6

Devices required for Home automation section of the shortcuts app:


HomePod or HomePod Mini
Apple TV 4th gen or later
iPad always plugged in

Talking topics: 

- NLP (Natural Language Processing) 


Using Ask for Input and a List to confirm a request
IF statements and Ask for Input
Using case to simplify response
Stripping text and handling multiple commands that you string... 

- I’m Up! And the role HomePod Mini’s play in a post Update world

- HomePod mini uses its own chipset from Apple Watch Series 5 SIP

- Using shortcuts to log events (pill tracker for Parker)


HomePod Mini is perfect for performing small quick tasks to log things like this

- Utilizing API calls and PAS to shorten HomePod actions


API calls on HomePod work quickly on HomePod
Controlling light colors and light on / off status with HomePod and PAS can allow you freedom to continue other things while it finishes execution 

- Roomba Automation and PAS https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/8b49470dc0aa4e93a7f55ec09a1c239f status https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/b9cc64fc0f064a5caf719f2224222dbd record entry for automation


Use contact sensors to know what the Roomba is doing
Roomba Status tool ft Homebridge. https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/f134d9a9c22b4f3fb9264a118ac2b0e0 

- Designing updaters for Siri and HomePod

- Using Shortcuts to automate volume control and music control (Smart Player)

- HomePod notifications with HomeKit using HomePod notification recorder. You can get the shortcut we discussed from this link: https://routinehub.co/shortcut/4407/



In the next episode, we will have some new content to cover as well as some further Q&A, so keep a watch on twitter and our discord server for more updates.


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Episode 9 
About: 

Current Shortcuts work / projects 
iOS 14 Beta & Shortcuts issues within 
HomePod updates 
Updater integration (standalone vs embedded) 
Q&A 


Apologies for the delay in getting the episode out, the beta has advanced beyond the version we discuss in the episode but most of the information is still relevant as of today.


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ShowNotes 

Episode 8 

About: 


Toolbox Pro (companion app) with Alex Hay, /u/mralexhay on Reddit (creator of the app). 
Some Q&A 

We have an iMessage sticker pack available. Check it out in the iMessage App Store 

Today we are cover the app that most of you have probably heard of before called Toolbox Pro or TBP as you will see it mentioned as online.

Q&A:


Were you a user of the workflow app before it turned into Shortcuts? I was not a user of workflow before Apple bought it and turned it into Shortcuts
Where did the idea for Toolbox Pro come from? Toolbox Pro idea came from my desire to have more actions available and be able to just do more! Toolboxpro.app has some of the Xcode tutorials about how to do certain things to get a barebones app started as mentioned 
What are some of your favorite actions in TBP? My favorite free actions: Global variables, preview (extender version of quick look
Do you have any future update plans for Toolbox Pro moving forward? Slowly have been adding tools over time but there is a larger update coming. Redesign from scratch and new documentation. New tools coming to bookmark files and folders (outside of the shortcuts sub folder
Do you have anything you’re currently working on in terms of shortcuts or other projects like another app maybe? Another app in the works, not even in beta testing yet or a name. But will be a type of front end interface for shortcuts to utilize.
What is your preferred method for support contact of Toolbox Pro? Mostly Twitter, Discord, Reddit, and the support section of the site, but any method is fine
If you don’t mind me asking, what type of background do you have? Documentary editor but learned coding when jumping into shortcuts and toolbox pro development
What do you think about the future of shortcuts? I'm excited to see the future of where Apple goes with it. Hoping for some Mac support / app





In the next episode, we will cover some further content on recent shortcuts work we’ve been doing and hoping to have another guest on the show soon. Stay tuned and stay safe!


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Episode 7
About: Automations (and PushCut), Shortcuts, IFTTT

Today we cover a topic that we touched on in one of the first episodes, automation and some advanced triggers you can use through IFTTT with our guest Parker Welch (PaRkThEcAr1 on Reddit)!
Interesting points about Parker and his setup:

Late 2012 Mac Mini
TP Link accessories (newly has shortcuts support)
Plex media server / makeshift PVR
Homebridge
HomeKit
HomePod
Dafang cameras


What device or devices do you utilize the most for shortcut editing and creation?
Oddly, I use HomePod the most or my Pushcut Automation server. I rarely run a shortcut that cant be done automatically or via Siri. The exception is my Homebridge tool and network tool.
What kind of background do you have?
Video editor by trade. However, I come from a family of Software Developers. My dad was a CTO with Linspire and sparked my interest in computers, scripting, and logic of automation.
What got you started in Shortcuts?
In all fairness, I am an AppleScript guy. When I started playing around with HomeKit, I wanted a solution using Siri that didn’t require I make a ton of AppleScript files for Homebridge to achieve that. iOS 13 was the game changer.
Do you use any of the computer shortcut editors?
I have tried many however, I find them all a bit finicky. For me, the best tool is my wife’s iPad Pro that she graciously lets me use sometimes. Otherwise, iPhone 11 Pro
Can you go into details about the new network manager shortcut you've been working on?
I have been working on a lot of Smart Speaker shortcuts particularly with HomePod. (discuss a I’m Up, Homebridge Manager, and a few personal shortcuts). the Network Manager is a tool designed to allow you to control and interface with that network using a HomePod.
What do you think about the future of shortcuts? And iOS?
Being able to have automations run in the background. I feel that with Apple’s late adoption of automation, that they will look to take full advantage of its usefulness. I would like the HomePod to stop saying “Your shortcut says” for every action and to see battery levels of devices in homekit/homebridge
What kinds of things would you like to see people working on more in shortcuts or automations?
Take advantage of the "holes" in Siri. I bridge the gap between home, life, and Siri with my Siri Speed Limit shortcut and I’m Up. Take accessibility into consideration - deaf / sight limited adjustments to take the "humane design" into account - take advantage of the homepod within shortcuts

Shortcuts and sites mentioned during the episode:
Let's Go (https://routinehub.co/shortcut/3859)
I'm Up (https://routinehub.co/shortcut/4018)
I'm Up sister shortcut I'm Safe (https://routinehub.co/shortcut/3902)
Siri Speed Limit (https://routinehub.co/shortcut/4594)
Homebridge Manager (https://routinehub.co/shortcut/4989)
The official Homebridge Github (https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge)

Contact options to reach out to Parker:
Reddit - u/parkthecar1
Twitter - PaRkThEcAr

Stay tuned for more information on the coming episodes

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Episode 6 ShowNotes 

About: Charty (companion app) - with creator Rodrigo Araujo 



If you have a question for us just send us a message on Anchor, DM on Twitter, message on our Discord server, or in our category on the Shortcuts discord server, and we'll answer it in the coming episodes. 

We recently started our new sponsorship program through Anchor, so if you enjoy the show and want to help us keep the episodes going, you can head over to https://anchor.fm/shortcasts/support, we really appreciate any feedback and support we get on the show 

We have our iMessage sticker pack available if you weren't aware, you can check it out on the iMessage App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcasts-stickers/id1499929222?app=messages) 



In today's episode we cover the new app called Charty (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1494386093) 



Discussion with Rodrigo: 


The project started in the end of 2019 and released the app today! 
What device or devices do you utilize the most for shortcut editing and creation?
I should be using my iPad more, but it always seems it’s too far to get, so I end up using my iPhone and trying everything here. It’s an iPhone 8 Plus that I plan to replace this year 
What kind of background do you have?
I have a degree in computer engineering and a masters in oil engineering, and my daily job is at Petrobras, the Brazilian oil extraction company. 
What got you started in Shortcuts?
I’ve always longed for a way to program on iOS! I’ve used Pythonista, and love it. But when Workflow came out, it was a breakthrough. Before it was acquired by Apple and even before iOS 13, workflows and shortcuts were pretty limited. But I remember setting up a whole double entry accounting system with my brother using only 1 writer text files and shortcut actions. 
Do you have any future update plans moving forward?
I do! I’m far from finished on Charty. I want to add area and bubble charts and histograms on a future release. Also, better themes, more icons and more shortcuts are all on the roadmap. 
Were you a user of the workflow app before it was purchased by Apple and turned into Shortcuts?
Yes! They were great ever since they launched, but to me, the breakthrough came with Magic Variables and Federico Viticci’s coverage. 
What do you think about the future of Shortcuts? And iOS?
For the iPhone, I hope for better automation features, especially ones that could run independently from users interaction. This way, the iPhone could become a real ethereal key for our connected world. 
What is your preferred method for support contact?
The best ways to reach are on Twitter, either @chartyios (https://twitter.com/chartyios) if you’d like to discuss the app, or @rodrigoaraujo (https://twitter.com/rodrigoaraujo) for everything else



End of Episode

We don't really have our next episode ready yet, but stay tuned for more information and for any upcoming giveaways


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Episode 5

We just started our new sponsorship program through Anchor, so if you enjoy the show and want to help us keep the episodes going, you can head over to https://anchor.fm/shortcasts/support, we really appreciate any feedback and support we get on the show 

We have an iMessage sticker pack available. Check it out in the iMessage App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcasts-stickers/id1499929222?app=messages) 



Giveaway:

We are doing a giveaway for access to a newly released podcast app called Cosmicast (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cosmicast/id1435195637), its a beautiful new podcast app by a developer named Shihab. He is on Twitter as @JPEGuin (https://twitter.com/JPEGuin), you can also follow Cosmicast on Twitter @cosmicastApp (https://twitter.com/CosmicastApp) 

For details on how to enter for this giveaway, please see our Twitter post (https://twitter.com/castsshort/status/1255544831079788547?s=21)



Episode Content:

Today we are covering the Shortcutify app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcutify/id1477222244) 

Guram, the app Developer, started the Shortcutify project in 2019 and released the app in February of this year 

The usage and methods of IFTTT was one of the stems for the idea to create the app. 

What kind of background do you have? Professional programmer and web developer and of course, now an iOS developer. 

Do you have any future update plans moving forward? Adding more services and integration of physical devices (vacuum, switches, etc). 

What types of projects would you like to see as outputs from the community?


Spotify-update playlists
Spotify album cover color to change smart light colors (recently accomplished this with Shortcutify)

What is your preferred method for support contact? Any method really, but some of the main methods people use are:


r/shortcutify on Reddit (https://reddit.com/r/Shortcutify)
@shortcutify on Twitter (https://twitter.com/shortcutify)


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