Press Pause with Bill McLean

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:[email protected]

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: [email protected]

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:[email protected]

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:[email protected]

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:[email protected]