With the new version of iOS, you’ll get a lot of improved functionality. Here are the top new features in iOS 14 that we’re sure you’ll love.
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An iCloud of Uncertainty — Mac Geek Gab 823
When iCloud works, it’s great. And, for the most part, that’s how it is. But sometimes…it just gets plain wonky. Several of you had several questions about that this week, and Dave and John dig in to get you sorted! That’s not all, though. Cool Stuff Found, routers, and even some future stuff is all up for discussion when your two favorite geeks get together this week. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
Full Disks, Slow Speeds, and Low Batteries — Mac Geek Gab 822
Your questions haven’t stopped, and neither have our answers! How to deal with a full disk? What to do for slow internet speeds? How to best manage your battery? All of these topics are addressed, plus Cool Stuff Found, Quick Tips, and more. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things with John and Dave this week!
WWDC Deep Dive – Mac Geek Gab 821
Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun share their thoughts and experiences with the new technologies Apple announced at WWDC this week.
Zooming the Web and Learning Your Ms — Mac Geek Gab 820
It’s hours before WWDC begins, and there’s just enough time to get Mac Geek Gab into your hands ahead of the new stuff we’re all about to learn. And, with that, we can still learn at least five new things, including how to Zoom (and unzoom) the web, how to encrypt your files, why you might want to change your cable modem password, and what those three Ms mean. Buckle up, press play, and enjoy the ride with John and Dave!
The Great Backup Debate — Mac Geek Gab 818
Do you backup or clone? Which is more important? What do you do first? Ok, let’s battle. Well, not really.
Lots of Cool Stuff Found in this episode, including a way to turn your iPhone into a webcam for your Mac. Internet upgrade options are popular among the questions that came in this week, so your two favorite geeks have answers.
Listen along with John and Dave as they share, answer, postulate, and everyone learns (at least!) five new things.
Full Rollout of Apple Pay Express Transit Compatible System in New York Delayed by COVID-19
Coronavirus delayed Apple Pay Express Transit being available across the NYC subway as installation of readers for the OMNY system was paused.
In Observance of Memorial Day
In honor of Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday, The Mac Observer will be taking the day off. We will resume our regular coverage of the Apple Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch world on Tuesday, May 26th. Please stay safe.
Bluetooth ‘BIAS’ Attack Affects Some Apple Devices
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group reported today an update to the Bluetooth Core Specification to stop Bluetooth BIAS attacks.
Code Break to Feature Ex-Apple Exec Scott Forstall
Former Apple executive Scott Forstall is set to speak at this week’s code.org Code Break session alongside rapper Macklemore.
Holy Bidirectional Thunderbolt, Mac-Man! – Mac Geek Gab 815
Did your Mac stop showing all your spotlight results? Do you have an external rotational drive on your Mac? Do you want to Add the Dark Menubar to your Light-themed Mac?
These answers are addressed in the opening Quick Tips segment. Can you imagine what happens when John and Dave, your two favorite geeks, start answering your questions? Good news: you don’t have to imagine. Just press play and all will be revealed!
Mispronouncing "Bondi" – Mac Geek Gab 814
What’s bloating up your hard drive? Why is your Bluetooth mouse still draining? Which 13″ MacBook should you get? All these questions are answered, and more. John and Dave are here to ensure you get the answers you need, in the way you need them. And that’s not all, they talk through a few ways of managing multiple Apple IDs, 10G Ethernet, macOS 10.15.5, plus Quick Tips, Cool Stuff Found, and more. Press play to listen and learn at least five new things along with your two favorite geeks!
New Stuff, Old Macs? Old Stuff, New Macs! – Mac Geek Gab 813
Need to run Mojave on your Catalina Mac? Need to really manage your printers? Want to add multiple monitors to your MacBook Pro? No problem. John and Dave have you covered. Listen as your two favorite geeks answer your questions about all this and more. It’s deliciously informative. And… it’s entertaining! Press play and watch, too!
Apple Pays $18 Million to Settle FaceTime Lawsuit
Apple is paying US$18 million to settle a lawsuit with VirnetX. The latter accused Apple of purposely breaking FaceTime on iOS 6.
Siri Gets German Voice Improvement That Was Promised Years Ago
Siri has had a voice upgrade in Germany. AppleInsider reported that this is particularly noticeably to HomePod users in the country and is courtesy of an update that was meant to arrive in… 2017.
Now German-language users are reporting that the Siri voice they hear every day has been noticeably improved to sound more human and natural than before. According to German site iphone-ticker.de, Siri has finally received an update that was actually promised back in 2017…. Readers of iphone-ticker.de say that the new Siri voice is more melodic, as well as natural, and that this is particularly noticeable on HomePods. However, there have been certain problems. Some readers are saying that since the update, “Siri always sounds like helium.” Apple has yet to comment.
It's Good to Do The Math – Mac Geek Gab 812
USB Power Delivery isn’t as clear a concept as it could be, and your two favorite geeks help sort this out. That’s not all, of course, because John and Dave are here to answer ALL of your questions. This week that includes issues with Spotlight, Backups, displays for your Mac mini, managing your external DAC, and more. Press play … and enjoy!
Apple Pay Switzerland to be Supported by UBS Bank
Swiss bank UBS announced that it will be supporting Apple Pay in the near future as it gradually rolls out to customers in the next few weeks.
Apple Music Comes to Newer Samsung Smart TVs
Apple Music is coming to newer models of Samsung smart TVs. This is the first time Apple Music has appeared on a TV besides the Apple TV.
Wirelessly Transfer Music, Videos, PDFs, More to Apple Devices with WALTR 2: $19
We have a deal on WALTR 2, which lets you manage the content on your iPhone or iPad from your Mac or Windows PC without iTunes. It will handle some file conversions, too. Check out the promo video below. You can get WALTR 2 for Mac for $19 through us. There’s a deal on the Windows version on the page, too.
Apple Resuming Smartphone Production Better Than Rivals
While iPhone sales will inevitably be hit by the coronavirus outbreak, Apple is resuming smartphone production at a better rate than many of its key rivals. That’s according to a note to investors seen by AppleInsider.
Cowen analysts believe global smartphone builds for the second quarter will be down 17% year-on-year. Though it will be a 4% rise in units in terms of sequential quarters, it will allegedly still be worse than the 15% year-on-year decline seen in the first quarter. For Apple in particular, it will be seeing a decline, but not at the same level. Cowen forecasts iPhone builds in the second quarter will be 35 million units, which works out to be a 5% drop quarter-to-quarter and a year-on-year decline of 13%, while Android builds will be down 18% overall year-on-year… “With the current state of the global economy, iPhone unit supply and demand expectations could continue to fluctuate in the coming months,” writes Cowen. The firm highlights how Foxconn’s workforce has “broadly recovered from the COVID-19 shutdown by the end of March,” which helps the outlook on Apple’s figures.
Sharing, Streaming, and Securing – Mac Geek Gab 811
Need to share big files from home? Trying to manage your video streaming and conferencing? Want to secure your setup? Good news, Mac Geek Gab has some ideas for you. Plus, there are Quick Tips, Cool Stuff Found, and lots more answers to lots more questions contained within. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
Here’s How to Connect AirPods to a Mac for the First Time
When you open the lid of an AirPods case it starts searching for devices to pair with. Here’s how to connect AirPods to a Mac.
Changing the Volume Level...and Icon – Mac Geek Gab 810
Did you know that with just your fingers on your iPhone screen you can slide to adjust the volume or pinch to delete messages? And with an option-click of your Mac’s mouse you can opt-in to distraction free bliss? You will after you listen to this episode, where John and Dave talk you through all of these things… and that’s just the first few minutes! There’s always more to come with Mac Geek Gab, because you’re guaranteed to learn at least five new things or your money back!
Fusion Drives and Folder Sharing – Mac Geek Gab 809
iCloud Folder Sharing works, and your two favorite geeks have tested it for you. Should you use your ISP’s mesh or your own? How about installing Catalina on a Fusion Drive? These questions answered, plus a LOT more. And John and Dave share your Cool Stuff Found, too. Press play and enjoy!