OpenAI lets you create GPTs that you can customise. I show you how and provide a link to my proofreader GPT. — Wouldn’t it be great if proofreading software could be trained to spot and correct the mistakes you most commonly make? Even better, what if it could advise on whether you’re improving? Maybe it could point you at relevant tutorials? That’s much closer to becoming a reality. OpenAI now allows you…

Apple could do more to help users get the best from their expensive gadgets, and a useful amount of cloud wouldn’t hurt — I wanted to create time-lapses, so after some research, I bought a GoPro Hero 12 Black. My iPhone will do it, but it’s too useful to tie up for hours at a time recording passing clouds. Two weeks on, I’m very happy with my choice, but the big surprise for…

Turn HTML tables into CSV text and paste them into a spreadsheet. Works with Safari on iPhone or iPad using Share Menu. — You’re doing some Internet research, gathering data as you surf from website to website. The trouble is that a lot of the information is in HTML tables, and when you try to copy and paste the contents, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Being on the mobile version of…

Add an extra screen to your Mac, exploit Universal Control, or stream 4K video conferencing. Here’s how and what to watch out for. — The iPad can be more than just a great way to watch YouTube, check social media, or surf the web. It can add so much more value when paired with a Mac, mirrorless camera, or even a console. The trouble is, there always seems to be a gotcha. Or is…

It’s easy to do with the free JavaScript app, Scriptable. Just copy the JavaScript from this article. No coding skills required. — Ever been caught out when an event has sneaked up on you? Your birthday is tomorrow? What? Of course, I’ve booked a restaurant. (Who doesn’t love McDonald’s?) I know that’s what we have diaries for, and calendar apps for, and even alarms warning about calendar events. But you have to…

Apple uses Ultra-Wideband for high-precision Find My services, but it can be repurposed to track your behaviour — You’d be forgiven for missing the full implications of Apple’s latest implementation of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) on the iPhone 15. Deniz Teoman, VP Hardware Systems Engineering, only spent about a minute explaining how helpful it was going to be. 46:41 to 1713 Locate a friend, even in a busy farmers’ market…

Having grand aspirations is great, but scheduling time to get them done is better — I’m effective at creating short form writing up to about 3,000 words (e.g. content for Medium). When I have an idea for an article, I blitz it, outlining, drafting, illustrating, and editing it over three days. Boom. When I started working on larger projects, such as writing an eBook, I…

A digital assistant with a display is useful! Actually, it’s great. — I was quite taken with the Google Pixel tablet after I watched the Mark Ellis reviews on TikTok. This wasn’t because it seemed to be a better tablet than an iPad. I’ve no idea because I’ve never used one. No, what caught my attention was how surprisingly useful a digital…

I’ve been writing every day since July on an iPad Pro using iPadOS 17 Stage Manager. Here’s how to get the best out of it — Some people view the iPad as a massive iPhone, supremely impractical for most jacket pockets! It has, however, come a long way since Steve Jobs proudly revealed it to a simpler, saner world in 2010. Yes, an iPad with iPadOS 17 Stage Manager and a monitor is a solid solution…