iOS 10 lets you block spam calls, but it isn’t as simple as flipping a virtual switch. You’ll need an app, like the free WhoCalls, to get started. Follow along with The Mac Observer’s video tip to learn how to get your iPhone set up.
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-19: The iPhone 7 First Impressions
to share their thoughts and first impressions on Apple’s latest smartphone. John also talks about what went right—and wrong—with his iPhone trade in at the Apple Store.
How to Hard Reboot iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus may be technological marvels, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to occasionally choke and require a forced reboot. With the iPhone 6s and earlier, pressing the Sleep/Wake button along with the Home button did the trick, but not so with the iPhone 7. Read on to learn how to force reboot your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-16: The iPhone 7 Plus Teardown, Listener Comments
What’s inside an iPhone 7 Plus? A lot, it turns out, including space for a headphone jack. Jim Tanous from TekRevue joins Jeff Gamet to dive inside Apple’s latest iPhone model, plus they respond to listener comments.
Uiee Portable Battery & Wall Charger for iPhone: $21
If you’re on the hunt for a portable iPhone charger and on-the-go battery pack, why not combine the two? That’s what Uiee did with its MFi certified Lightning Portable Battery & Wall Charger. The all-in-one includes a retractable Lightning cable, fold away outlet prong, and a 1050 mAh battery so you can juice up your iPhone with or without a power outlet nearby. Uiee’s Portable Battery & Wall Charger is regularly priced at US$29.99, but you can get one for $21.99 (that’s 26% off) with today’s TMO Deal.
Apple Fixed the iOS 10 T-Mobile Bug
Good news, T-Mobile users. Apple has a fix out for the iOS 10 bug that knocked some iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone SE users off the carrier’s network.
Mili iData Pro 64GB Lightning & Micro USB Storage Drive: $74
Mili’s iData Pro makes it easy to boost your iPhone or iPad’s storage, and it keeps your data secure, too. It connects to your iOS device’s Lightning port and can hold 64GB worth of movies, music, and photos so you don’t have to pack as much into your built-in memory. The iData Pro also sports Touch ID security to keep your files safe from prying eyes. It’s usually priced at US$99.99, but you can grab one for $74.99 (that’s 24% off) with today’s TMO deal.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-15: The iPhone 7 Launch Famine, watchOS 3 Standout Features
Good luck walking into a store tomorrow and buying a new iPhone 7 or 7 Plus because they’re already pretty much completely sold out. John Martellaro joins Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple product launch strategies and controlling inventory to drive up hype. They also share some watchOS 3 standout features—both good and annoying.
iPhone 7 Plus Sold Out Worldwide, iPhone 7 Availability Limited
It’s no secret Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus inventory is constrained, but now it’s clear just how limited availability will be come Friday morning when the new models are supposed to hit store shelves. The iPhone 7 Plus is sold out around the world, as is the Jet Black iPhone 7, which means what’s left of the black, rose gold, and silver iPhone 7 inventory will be hard to come by.
iPhone 7 Upgrade Program gets more Inventory, Apple Stores Lose Out
iPhone Upgrade Program members who felt jilted last Friday when pre-orders began and they couldn’t score a new iPhone 7 may have a chance to get in on this week’s launch day action. Apple made more inventory available for Upgrade Program members, but that may be at the expense of walk-in buyers.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-14: iOS 10 Messages and Stickers, Wireless Earbuds
With iOS 10 out and on people’s iPhones and iPads it’s time to dive into some features. Kelly Guimont joins Jeff Gamet to look at Messages and Sticker Packs, and to talk about why Jeff decided to make his own. They also talk about wireless earbuds and Apple dropping the headphone jack from the iPhone 7.
FRESHeBUDS Pro Magnetic Bluetooth Earbuds: $39
With the iPhone 7 shipping this Friday without a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth earbuds suddenly look a lot more compelling. If you’re in the market, check out today’s TMO deal: FRESHeBUDS Pro Magnetic Bluetooth Earbuds. They turn off automatically when you click the built-in magnets together and turn on when you pull them apart, are water and sweat resistant, run for 10 hours on a charge and recharge in 90 minutes, and include a built-in microphone for answering calls on the go. The FRESHeBUDS Pro normally cost US$119.95, but are 66% off right now, so you’ll pay only $39.95.
Single Sign-on Missing from tvOS 10 Update
When Apple released tvOS 10 on Tuesday along side iOS 10 and watchOS 3, our fourth generation Apple TVs got some cool new features like a dark mode interface and more powerful Siri search support. What we aren’t getting is single sign-on support—a feature promised earlier this year at Apple’s annual developer conference.
Apple's Swift Playgrounds for iPad Hits the App Store
Apple released Swift Playgrounds for iPad along side iOS 10 on Tuesday, giving us the tablet-based developer learning tool first shown off earlier this year at the company’s Worldwide Developer Conference. The app teaches coding skills without needing any prior experience.
How I Turned a Bunch of Drawings into iOS 10 Sticker Packs
What happens when you tell artists they can make sticker packs for iOS 10 Messages easily? They do, and I took that as an invitation, so I went through the process of creating two sticker packs to learn how the process works. It’s a win-win scenario, because I know a lot more about what developers experience, and you get two sticker packs.
PDF Expert 2 for Mac: $29
Readdle’s PDF Expert 2 is a great PDF reader and editor that goes far beyond OS X’s Preview app at a price that doesn’t put the squeeze on your pocketbook. The app lets you edit text, images and links in PDF files, annotate documents, merge files into a single PDF, complet PDF forms, add document passwords, and more. PDF Expert is regularly US$59.99, but with TMO’s deal you can pick up a copy for half off at $29.99.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-13: iOS 10 Launch Day, Financing Your iPhone 7
It’s iOS 10 launch day and there’s plenty to talk about in Apple’s newest iPhone and iPad operating system. Dave Hamilton and TekRevue’s Jim Tanous join Jeff Gamet to talk about iOS 10’s new features and what they’re finding handy, plus they look at the different options for financing a new iPhone 7.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-12: Apple Car Layoffs, Why the Media Loves Hating Apple
Apple seems to be shaking up its secret car project, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to discuss what the reported car project layoffs likely mean, plus John explains why the media loves spinning Apple in a negative light.
ESPN Shows iPhone 7 Plus Photo Quality with US Open Tennis Shots
Apple put the iPhone 7 Plus in the hands of pro photographers ahead of its big reveal last week, and now we get to see even more shots because ESPN has snapping pics with one at the US Open Tennis Championships. Landon Nordeman used an iPhone 7 Plus in lieu of his DSLR setup, and the shots he got were pretty amazing.
Apple Watch Series 2 Preorders Slip to 3 Weeks and Longer
It took hours instead of minutes, but delivery dates for most Apple Watch Series 2 models have slipped out to about three weeks. The Series 2 Sport aluminum and stainless steel models are listed as shipping by the end of September, while the ceramic Edition model is 5-6 weeks out.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-09-09: The Day the iPhone got Faster than the MacBook
Benchmark tests show the Apple’s brand new iPhone 7 Plus A10 processer is faster than the 2016 MacBook. Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit join Jeff Gamet to look at what those performance tests mean, why it’s a big deal that an iPhone can be faster than a MacBook, and what would happen if Apple put its own processors in the Mac lineup.
Apple isn't Announcing iPhone 7 Preorder Sales Numbers
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus deliveries were showing several week delays only minutes after preorders launched, but don’t count on seeing how many sold come Monday because Apple isn’t sharing the numbers. The company said the numbers don’t reflect actual demand and don’t hold any value for investors.
Belkin Lightning Adapter Solves iPhone 7 Listen While Charging Problem
The combo charger and headphone jack adapter you want for your just ordered iPhone 7 is coming from Belkin instead of Apple. The accessory maker is showing off the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter on its website—and even though it isn’t shipping yet, it’ll still probably arrive before your Jet Black iPhone 7.
Here's Where to Preorder Your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus
Set your alarm because iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus preorders start at 12:01AM pacific time Friday morning—which means Thursday night is going to run really late for a lot of people. You can place your preorder on Apple’s website, in the Apple Store app, or through your cell service provider.