An Apple Shortcuts masterclass

What It Covers

The Vergecast examines Meta Ray-Ban display smart glasses through extended real-world testing, explores Apple Shortcuts automation capabilities with creator Steven Robles, and debates whether complex user programming tools serve mainstream consumers effectively.

Key Questions Answered

• •Neural Band Control System: Meta's EMG wristband enables gesture control without visible hand movements, requiring precise placement one finger-width below the wrist bone. The band works behind your back, unlike Vision Pro's camera-dependent system, making interactions feel intuitive once learned despite taking up prime wearable real estate.
• •Weight Distribution Problem: At 69 grams, the display glasses create noticeable pressure on cheekbones during extended wear beyond two hours, leaving visible marks on skin. Battery drains in three to four hours with heavy AI and camera use, making these episodic devices rather than all-day wearables despite their stylish appearance.
• •Privacy Concerns Scale: The monocular display in the right lens remains invisible to observers, enabling discreet photo framing and notification reading that feels powerful but ethically troubling. San Francisco University issued warnings after incidents of inappropriate filming, highlighting how good-enough technology in many hands creates asshole-use-case scenarios manufacturers must address proactively.
• •Shortcuts Automation Power: Apple Shortcuts enables complex workflows like auto-sorting Apple Notes by content using on-device AI models, creating custom hotel room number savers with third-party apps like Datajar, and building folder automations on Mac that transcribe audio files and generate summaries without user interaction beyond initial setup.
• •Discovery Over Creation: Most users benefit more from downloading pre-built shortcuts via shared links than learning the programming interface themselves. Communities on Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok share one-action automations like toggling silent mode or enabling low power mode at specific battery percentages that provide immediate value without technical knowledge.