Monday, 03 July 2023 12:02
Improve Privacy by Removing Metadata from Office Documents and PDFs
Written by Adam Engst
When we share data with others, we do so intentionally—a law firm sending a client legal documents, for instance. But those documents shouldn’t include ancillary information that might reveal other, more sensitive details. Because all digital files contain metadata—additional information about the file or its contents—it’s worth knowing what you could share inadvertently and learning […]
Monday, 03 July 2023 12:01
Learn to Identify and Eliminate Phishing Notifications
Written by Adam Engst
Email may be the most common form of phishing, but it’s not the only one. Modern Web browsers support a technology that enables websites to display system-level notifications just like regular apps. These push notifications have good uses, such as letting frequently updated websites inform users of new headlines, changed discussion threads, and more. Unfortunately, […]
Wednesday, 07 June 2023 17:34
At WWDC23, Apple Releases New Macs, Previews New OS Features, and Unveils Vision Pro
Written by MBS Web TeamApple’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote (full video or 2-minute recap) is primarily an opportunity for Apple to give developers a first look at new features coming in its operating systems, and this year was no exception. However, Apple sandwiched those feature reveals between announcements of new Macs and the unveiling of its mixed-reality Vision Pro headset, due next year. Here’s what you should know.
Tuesday, 06 June 2023 13:51
At WWDC23, Apple Releases New Macs, Previews New OS Features, and Unveils Vision Pro
Written by Adam Engst
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote (full video or 2-minute recap) is primarily an opportunity for Apple to give developers a first look at new features coming in its operating systems, and this year was no exception. However, Apple sandwiched those feature reveals between announcements of new Macs and the unveiling of its mixed-reality Vision Pro […]
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Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:08
Apple Is Shutting Down My Photo Stream—Switch to iCloud Photos
Written by Adam Engst
Apple has quietly announced that it is shutting down the My Photo Stream service, the company’s first iCloud-based effort at helping users sync photos between devices. My Photo Stream had numerous limitations but was free and didn’t count against iCloud storage quotas. If you’re still using My Photo Stream, note that photos will stop uploading […]
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Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:07
Need to Mask Nearby Noise? Try Ventura’s Background Sounds
Written by Adam Engst
Do you have trouble concentrating at work because of a loud office environment? Or do you work at home and want to block out the sounds of kids or appliances? In macOS 13 Ventura, Apple added background sounds you can play to mask what’s going on around you. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > […]
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Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:06
Pay Attention to Unsolicited Facebook Password Reset Messages
Written by Adam Engst
We’ve seen an uptick in attacks on Facebook accounts that generate email messages like the one below. It’s saying someone is attempting to reset your Facebook password in order to access your account. If you didn’t ask to reset your Facebook password within the past 5 minutes, do not enter the provided code! In fact, […]
Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:05
Avoid Confusion by Setting iPhone Password Autofill to Only One App
Written by Adam Engst
Let’s say you use 1Password (or another third-party password manager) on an iPhone or iPad. When that’s the case, it’s easy to end up in a situation where your device will present passwords from both 1Password and iCloud Keychain, possibly along with another app. That won’t break anything, but as you can see in the […]
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Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:04
Apple Starts Releasing Rapid Security Responses for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Written by Adam Engst
By now, you’ve probably seen a new form of update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS: the Rapid Security Response. Early in May, Apple released the first instances of these updates, which the company had promised for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura when those operating systems were first announced. Let’s answer some of […]
Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:03
What to Do If You’re a Mac User Who Needs Some Windows Software
Written by Adam Engst
For the most part, the days of Mac versus PC are over. Common apps now exist on both platforms, and when they don’t, there are plenty of alternatives in nearly every app category. Plus, many apps either run entirely on the Web in any browser. Large organizations now regularly run “employee choice” programs that allow […]
Thursday, 01 June 2023 11:02
Which Should You Use—a Mac, iPhone or iPad, or Web App?
Written by Adam Engst
Apps are everywhere these days, but it can be hard to remember that many exist in multiple versions. You can often run the same app on a Mac, an iPhone or iPad, and in a Web browser, each of which has benefits. Generally speaking, Mac apps: Have better-designed, more obvious interfaces that improve the user […]
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Monday, 01 May 2023 12:08
Prevent Quick Screenshots from Cluttering Your Photos Library on the iPhone and iPad
Written by Adam Engst
By default, when you take a screenshot (instructions for iPhone and iPad), it saves to Photos. But what if you don’t want something like a quick image of a map for a friend to clutter your Photos library? In iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple has added new options. When you tap the screenshot thumbnail […]
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With the original version of the Apple Watch, Apple introduced “grid” view, which shows tiny icons for each app in a random circular pattern, making them difficult to find for most people. Happily, at some point, Apple relented and gave us the more sensible list view, which shows all the apps—with their names—sorted alphabetically. If […]
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Monday, 01 May 2023 12:06
New Apple Card Savings Accounts Offers 4.15% Interest
Written by Adam Engst
Apple is continuing its forays into the financial world with the introduction of Apple Card Savings, a new savings account from Goldman Sachs that offers 4.15% interest with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. The Savings account is designed to hold your Daily Cash rewards from using the Apple Card, but […]
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Monday, 01 May 2023 12:05
iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation Feature to Improve Cellular Calls
Written by Adam Engst
In iOS 15, Apple added the Voice Isolation feature to FaceTime calls to filter out noise around you while you’re talking, which is a boon if you’re making a call in a loud space or outside environment. With the recently released iOS 16.4, Apple has now brought that feature to cellular calls as well, but […]
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If your iPhone were to be stolen or suffer an unfortunate accident, would you lose all your precious photos? Those using iCloud Photos are probably shaking their heads smugly, thinking that all those baby and vacation photos are backed up securely in iCloud. iCloud Photos does indeed store a copy of all your photos, but […]
Monday, 01 May 2023 12:03
“Juice Jacking” Returns to the News but Still Hasn’t Happened
Written by Adam Engst
Much has been made in the media about a recent FBI warning about “juice jacking,” the theoretical act of installing malware on or stealing data from an iPhone connected to a public charging station. Researchers first demonstrated juice jacking in 2011 at the Defcon security conference. There’s no harm in following the FBI’s advice, but […]
Monday, 01 May 2023 12:02
Sidestep MacBook Optimized Battery Charging When Necessary
Written by Adam Engst
Have you ever run into a situation where the battery icon in your menu bar is stuck at 80% even though your Mac has been plugged in for hours? Luckily, there are several easy workarounds, but first, let us explain what’s going on. In the past few years, Apple has added optimized battery charging features […]
Photos we take today with our iPhones and other digital cameras automatically have metadata associated with them, information like time and date, camera type, lens and exposure information, and even location (with iPhones and newer cameras). Other metadata, like titles and faces, we have to add manually. Four of these pieces of metadata are particularly […]
Monday, 03 April 2023 09:08
Set Your Apple Watch Clock Ahead a Few Minutes to Avoid Being Late
Written by Adam Engst
Those who tend to cut things tight have a time-honored tradition of setting their watches ahead by a few minutes. That way, when you glance at your watch and realize that you need to leave, you actually have a few more minutes. You can do this with your Apple Watch, but only on the watch […]
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Monday, 03 April 2023 09:07
How to Turn Mail’s Rich Website Previews into Plain Links
Written by Adam Engst
Sometimes apps can be too helpful. Apple’s Mail on the Mac likes to turn pasted URLs into graphically rich previews, and sometimes that’s OK. But other times, the preview is confusing or takes up too much space. Or you may want to send a plain link so the recipient can see its text. There are […]
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Monday, 03 April 2023 09:06
Classical Music Fans Take Note: Apple Music Classical Is Now Available
Written by Adam Engst
Apple has at long last released the promised Apple Music Classical app. It’s a free iPhone app for Apple Music subscribers that looks and works much like the standard Music app. However, Apple has adjusted it extensively under the hood to work better with classical music, where there are many recordings of the same work […]
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