• President Harry will conduct a ZOOM meeting to include Q&A
• "Hot Apps" by Ron Sharp
Location:
Online with Zoom - Contact Ron Sharp for inclusion in the meeting.
Minutes for MAGIC meeting of May 19, 2021
by Madelyn Van Der Hoogt, Secretary
Harry Anderson opened the meeting at 4:03. He introduced himself and welcomed everyone (approximately 25 members were in attendance). He noted that we have been Zooming since January of this year.
Business
For the brief business portion of the meeting, Gary McIntyre gave the Treasurer's report: As of April 30th, we have $8,572.14 in the treasury (an increase from membership dues and mentoring opportunities for Robert, Ron, and Gary).
Harry reviewed the schedule of presentation topics planned through September:
Today (May 19): Robert Elphick, the iPhone Camera
June 16: Ron Sharp, Hot Apps
July 15: Gary McIntyre, Apple Watch
August 19: Robert Elphick, Sharing Devices
September 16: Gary McIntyre, Apple Updates.
Harry also mentioned some other possibilities for future topics:
How much iCloud storage do we need, why do we need it, and how do we control it? He also wondered about covering new products, such as the latest iMac. Robert and Ron both responded that new products are usually covered in the newsletter. Robert is especially looking forward to the new M1 chip. Gary also mentioned Apple Tags (tracking devices) and the latest iPhone.
Harry then introduced Robert's presentation (The iPhone Camera), reminding everyone to be on Mute and to use the Chat feature for any comments or questions. The presentation is recorded and will be available online (http://www.whidbey.com/magicmug/).
Presentation
In his presentation, Robert recommended two ebooks by James Nino, Mastering the iPhone 12 Pro Max Camera, and Mastering the iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera. He also recommended online resources available at iphonephotography.com.
Q and A after the presentation
Question: I'm wondering how to take photos of digital signs on the highway?
Answer: Your eyes have a different persistence of vision and so they average out the images and make sense. The camera needs either to average several images or have the shutter speed set down to a slow value. Try to use either the Burst or Video feature and then select the best frame. Experiment!
Question: The Live feature on the camera is very difficult to use and does not behave the way described.
Answer: This feature has evolved and what I demonstrated was the latest version. Your iPhone 10 may not have everything. Go to the website and/or the books that are recommended in this presentation (these will also be on the website).
Question: What advantage do the aspect ratios have?
Answer: 4:3 is the traditional ratio for photo printing, producing a postcard-proportioned photo. Wider aspect ratios are used for videos. Some people choose a square format. If you are creating artwork you can do a lot of different things, not just with ratios. You can remove background, merge photos, etc. When you choose settings, ask yourself what is your project (newsletter, movie, poster, etc.), who is the target audience, and what results are you looking for?
Question: In your presentation, you showed activating the camera with your wristwatch, right?
Answer: Yes, but this is an Apple Watch. Gary and Robert will be presenting Apple Watch technology in the July meeting. Harry added that he has a tripod that is also a selfie stick that uses bluetooth and can activate the camera. Robert showed a tripod with flexible legs that can attach to a tree or post.
Question: In the Preferences for Camera under Formats, there are two options - a. High Efficiency, b. Most Compatible. What is the difference?
Answer: If you look at that page it tells you. The High efficiency uses the HEIF/HEVC formats for pictures/movies and the Most Compatible uses the JPEG/H.264 formats. Both are lossy but are very good preserving the high quality of the pictures. HEIF is the better of the two and is used by most Mac graphic applications (This is the one I use). You may want to use JPEG if you are sending pictures to PC people.
Harry adjourned the meeting shortly after 5 and announced that the next Magic meeting will be June 16 2021.
MAGIC Musings
by Harry Anderson, MAGIC President
As I think back over these first six months of 2021, I realize how well our group has done in holding together despite the pandemic, social distancing, quarantining, etc. I just checked our website, http://www.whidbey.com/magicmug/index.html, and saw the recordings of all five presentations that we've enjoyed via Zoom since January. Remember them?
February: Photos by Ron Sharp
March: MAC security by Robert Elphick
April: Time Machine by Ron Sharp
May: iPhone cameras by Robert Elphick
The beauty of recording our presentations is that all of us can view them as many times as wish to refresh the points we need. I urge you to take another look at all these wonderful presentations when you have a moment. They will always be available!
And this month, at our June 16 meeting, Ron Sharp will gives us a presentation on "Hot Apps." I am anxious to hear about the latest and greatest apps available for all our Apple devices. Be sure to RSVP and let us know you will be attending our "June Zoom" meeting so I can send you the link. Information on how to do that is in this newsletter.
In July, we are scheduled to have a presentation on the Apple Watch; in August, we'll hear about sharing between devices; and in September, we'll have a presentation on managing/installing/understanding updates. Stay tuned!
We are also considering a return to in-person meetings sometime this year at the Unitarian Church in Freeland. Now that most of us are vaccinated, that should be possible sooner rather than later. We will talk about this during our brief official meeting business at the start of our June 16 meeting in order to get a better sense of how we're feeling about a return to in-person gatherings and when.
See you all "virtually" soon!
Note: This Software Update section of the newsletter lists the most relevant Apple updates. Not all updates are listed for all products. Additionally, I'll add other pertinent updates on occasion.
Apple releases tvOS 14.6 and HomePod 14.6 for all users
by José Adorno, 9to5mac
Apple is releasing tvOS 14.6 and HomePod 14.6 for all users. After a few weeks in beta, the software is now available through the set-top-box and the Home app.
Different from tvOS 14.5 which brought Adjust Color Balance feature to all available Apple TVs and support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers, which can be used to play games, tvOS 14.6 and HomePod 14.6 don't bring anything more than bug fixes.
With this update, technically, the Apple TV HD and the two Apple TV 4K models are ready to support Apple Music with Lossless quality. The company will release June this update to Apple Music, and it says the Apple TV must be running tvOS 14.6.
Recently, Apple also revealed that HomePod and HomePod mini will support Lossless quality in a future software update, but it's unclear when or what version the smart speaker must be running to stream in this higher quality.
HomePod 14.6 is the second update Apple smart speaker received after being discontinued more than two months ago.
Apple releases watchOS 7.5 with ECG app in new countries, more
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
In addition to iOS 14.6, Apple today is also rolling out watchOS 7.5 for Apple Watch users. This update brings the ECG and irregular heart rhythm notification features to more countries, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions support, and more.
With today's update to watchOS 7.5, the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notification features are now available in Malaysia and Peru. Here are the full release notes from Apple:
watchOS 7.5 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes:
Access to subscription content in the Podcasts app
Apple Card allows members to track expenses, manage spending, and build credit together with a Family Sharing group
Support for the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Malaysia and Peru
Support for irregular heart rhythm notifications in Malaysia and Peru
To update your Apple Watch to watchOS 7.6, open the Settings app on the Apple Watch and look for Software Update. You can also install the update via the Apple Watch companion app on your iPhone.
MacOS 11.4 fixes flaw that allows attackers to snap secret screenshots
by Philipe Espósito, 9to5mac
Apple has released macOS Big Sur 11.4, which comes with expanded support for external GPUs, bug fixes in Safari, and more. However, this update also makes the system more secure as it patches an exploit that let malware take screenshots without the user's knowledge.
As reported by Jamf, an Apple-focused mobile device management company, the XCSSET malware was using an exploit to take screenshots of Mac computers without asking for any permission. The malware targeted Mac developers and mainly infected Xcode projects, which were later shared on platforms such as Github.
However, although it was only taking unintended screenshots, the XCSSET malware also had the power to let the attacker access the disk and record the Mac screen, which could lead to even more serious damage. Interestingly enough, the malware was written in AppleScript so that it could run on macOS without being detected.
Much of the time the malware author leverages AppleScripts in their attack chain due to the facility in which it handles many bash commands, even downloading and/or executing Python scripts in an effort to obfuscate their intentions through a confusing use of various scripting languages.
Apple confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch that the exploit has been fixed with the latest version of macOS — which is macOS Big Sur 11.4. If you haven't updated your Mac yet, you can do so now by going to the System Preferences app and clicking on the Software Update option.
Apple releases iOS 14.6 with Apple Card Family, Podcasts Subscriptions, and more
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Apple has officially rolling out iOS 14.6 to the public. This update includes Apple Card Family support, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, AirTag improvements, and more. Read on for the full release notes and details on what's new in iOS 14.6.
In addition to iOS 14.6, Apple is also releasing iPadOS 14.6 to the public today. You can update your iPhone or iPad by going to the Settings app, choosing General, then choosing Software Update.
What's new in iOS 14.6?
Following the release of iOS 14.5 to the public last month, iOS 14.6 is another major update for iPhone and iPad users. One of the biggest changes is support for Apple Card Family. This feature was announced at Apple's special event last month, and it allows users to share their Apple Card via Family Sharing.
Apple explains:
Apple Card can be shared with up to five people, including anyone 13 years or older in your Family Sharing group
Apple Card Family adds support for families to track expenses, manage spending with optional limits and controls, and build credit together
iOS 14.6 also brings support to the Podcasts app for Apple's new Apple Podcasts Subscriptions platform. This allows podcasts to offer paid subscriptions to their shows with bonus content such as ad-free episodes and subscriber-only episodes.
Other new features in iOS 14.6 includes updates for AirTag, Accessibility improvements, and a variety of bug fixes.
AirTag and Find My
Lost mode option to add an email address instead of a phone number for AirTag and Find My network accessories
AirTag will show the partially masked phone number of the owner when tapped with an NFC-capable device
Accessibility
Voice Control users can unlock their iPhone for the first time after a restart using only their voice
This release also fixes the following issues:
Unlock with Apple Watch may not work after using Lock iPhone on Apple Watch
Reminders may appear as blank lines
Call blocking extensions may not appear in Settings
Bluetooth devices could sometimes disconnect or send audio to a different device during an active call
iPhone may experience reduced performance during startup
These incredibly useful Mac keyboard shortcuts will help you work faster and smarter
by Leif Johnson, macworld
If you're not using keyboard shortcuts on your Mac, you're missing out on a big part of the reason why so many people love Apple's desktop operating system. Thanks to Apple's integration of hardware and software, you'll rarely have to reach for your mouse or trackpad once you learn to speak the language of the keys.
Whether you're using Mojave or Big Sur, MacOS has many shortcuts, but there are a few that everyone should know. They start with that "⌘" symbol. That's the Command key, and it's the key to all the shortcuts listed here. It works kind of like the Control key on a Windows PC, except it's in a handier spot—typically on both sides of the space bar. In the following examples, an example like "⌘+A" typically means you need to hold down the Command button and press A or press both at the same time.
We're not talking about super common shortcuts with related Windows counterparts—such as ⌘+A to select all, ⌘+C to copy, or ⌘+F open the Find prompt—but rather the ones that you may not be familiar with if you're new to Mac. If these shortcuts get you hooked, you can even make your own for everything from the system to specific apps by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts and then choosing one of the options on the left.
Open the Spotlight search tool
⌘+Space bar: This is probably the most useful shortcut of all. Whenever you want to find a file on your Mac, just tap this shortcut and type the name of the file you'd like the find in the prompt that pops up. The results are instant. Spotlight will also search through things like iMessages, bookmarks, and the full text of files on your hard drive. It's also a quick way to find and open apps you don't keep on your dock.
Command+spacebar: It'll change the way you work.
Immediately quit any app
⌘+Q: Use this command to shut down any app immediately. This command doesn't just minimize the app (as sometimes happens when you hit the red "X" button at the top of any Mac app)—it completely shuts it down.
Take screenshots or record the screen
As you can probably imagine, we use these shortcuts a lot here at Macworld. There are actually several ways you can take a screenshot on a Mac.
⌘+Shift+3: Screenshot the entire visible window. If you can see it on your Mac's screen, it'll show up in the screenshot.
⌘+Shift+4: Screenshot a specific area of the screen with the help of a rectangular cropping tool. This is the one I use the most, and it's also great for sharing images or snippets of text on social media.
⌘+Shift+5: Beginning with macOS Mojave, Apple made it easy to see all the screenshot tools at once with this shortcut. Press it, and you'll see a toolbar that gives you options for capturing the entire screen, capturing a specific window, or capturing a specific portion of a window. You can also use it to record either the entire screen or a portion of it and choose where to save the image or video file. (By default, screenshots save to the desktop.)
The toolbar for screenshots allows you to shoot specific areas of the screen
Hide apps instantly
⌘+H: Here's one for sneaky folks. If you're looking at something you don't want an approaching boss, parent, or friend to see, tap this shortcut and the active open window will vanish. To start using the app again, press the app's icon on either the dock or the App Switcher.
You can do this for all active apps by holding down ⌘+Option and pressing your mouse on any visible part of your desktop. Every app will "Hide." It's a great way to declutter your desktop.
If you simply want to minimize an app, press ⌘+M, but its preview will still show up on the right side of your dock.
Quickly switch between active apps
⌘+Tab: Holding ⌘ and then tapping Tab opens the App Switcher, which lets you easily switch between all active apps by tapping Tab until you land on the one you want.
Honestly, I tend to just click on apps from the dock, but many Mac users love this feature.
Switch between different windows in an app
⌘+~:This one makes research a heck of a lot easier. Let's say you have two documents open from Apple's Pages app: one with your notes and one with your draft. This shortcut lets you easily switch between the two (or more) documents. I find it's particularly helpful if I'm working on a MacBook with a smaller screen where the split-view interface might feel too cramped.
Quickly access the search/address bar in Safari
⌘+L: Reaching for your mouse to activate Safari's search bar wastes a lot of time. Press this shortcut while you're using Safari, and the cursor will jump up to the search bar, where you can type out either a search term or an URL. This shortcut also works with Google Chrome. (You can also use it on Windows with the Control key.)
Safari has some other great keyboard shortcuts, too: ⌘+T opens a new tab, and ⌘+Z reopens the last tab you (possibly accidentally) closed. If you want to reopen an accidentally closed tab in Chrome or Opera, you can press ⌘+Shift+T.
Force-quit an App
⌘+Option+Q: If an app is locked up (and ⌘+Q isn't working for whatever reason), use this shortcut to force the app to quit.
You can also choose multiple apps to force-quit by pressing ⌘+Option+Esc (Escape), which is much like using Control-Alt+Delete on a PC. Instead of the Task Manager, though, you'll get a window that says Force Quit Applications and you can choose which app you want to close from there.
It's also just a convenient way to shut down a lot of apps at once.
Immediately lock your Mac
⌘+Control+Q: If you're stepping away from your desk at home or the office and you don't want someone snooping around on your Mac, press this shortcut and your Mac will immediately switch to the lock screen. It's a heck of a lot faster than doing it through the menu bar.
Use Quick Look to preview files
Click+Space Bar: If you want to see what a file looks like but you don't want to waste time opening the associated app, select the file in a Finder folder and then press the space bar. (This also works with files on the desktop.) A full-page preview will pop up—and with Markup options, too. This works for everything from images and PDFs to Microsoft Excel files.
You can also select multiple files to preview at once by holding down the Command key as you select them and then pressing ⌘+Y. (⌘+Y also works for single files, but in that case it's less convenient.) Once that window is open, you can navigate between the files with the arrow keys in the upper left.
Startup keyboard commands no longer work on M1 Macs
Apple has a set of keyboard commands you can use to make your Mac do certain tasks at startup. For example, if you want to zap the Mac's NVRAM, reset the SMC, or boot into Recovery mode, there are keyboard combinations that you hold down while booting your Mac.
Those keyboard combinations work only with Macs that use Intel processors. The new M1 Macs and upcoming Macs that have Apple silicon do not use these keyboard combinations. We have a guide to help you find the troubleshooting modes on Apple silicon Macs.
Hands-on: First impressions after 72 hours with the all-new M1 iMac
by By Chance Miller, 9to5mac
The all-new M1-powered iMac has officially arrived in all of its colorful glory. Head below as I unbox and go hands-on with the new iMac and share some initial impressions and observations after 72 hours with the first iMac redesign in over a decade.
Unboxing
Gone is the wedge-shaped box that previous iMacs have shipped in. The new 24-inch iMac ships in a flat box with a neat nylon handle at the top. When you unbox the iMac, it features a beautiful screen protector with "hello" printed on it, color-matched to the iMac itself.
I opted for the blue iMac with the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, paired with the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. All of these accessories came packaged nicely in the iMac's box.
The iMac power cable is braided, as is the included Lightning to USB-C for charging the accessories. As a side note, I really hope this braided cable design makes its way to other devices in the future, including the iPhone and even the MacBook power cable.
Automatic Text Expansion & Replacement Shortcut Apps for Mac
byDennis Sellers, macsales
Do you type the same phrases over and over on your Mac? You can save time by enabling text expansion in macOS or using a third-party app that may have a few additional features useful to you.
Mac's Built-In Automatic Text Replacement
Open System Preferences and click on Keyboard.
macOS system preferences with keyboard selection highlighted with a red circle
Click on Text.
Click the "+" sign to add a next text expansion trigger.
Keyboard Text references in MacOS
As you can see from the graphic below, I've added a trigger to replace "2270" with my complete address
Example of adding a new text replacement shortcut in on a Mac
You'll notice that Apple has included two triggers automatically: "omw" actives "on my way" and "brb" expands to "Be right back." If you don't want to use these text expansions, you can click on them and hit the "- " sign to delete them.
Other Text Replacement Shortcut Utilities for the Mac
There are various macOS apps and utilities that take text expansion up a notch from the operating system's built-in features. One popular one is TextExpander, which lets you instantly insert snippets of text from a repository of emails, boilerplate and other content, as you type by using a quick search or abbreviation. Pricing starts at US$3.33 per month for an individual user.
Another popular app is my favorite, TypeIt4Me, which expands your shorthand abbreviations on-the-fly. It costs $19.99 and no subscription is required.
Other text expansion apps include Typinator ($25), aText ($5), and Keyboard Maestro ($36).
Of course, if you don't have a lot of text expansion needs and/or don't want to fork out any money, just go with macOS's built-in feature.
What's the Difference Between USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4?
by Michele, macsales
Nowadays, there are so many different kinds of wires and connections. Some of the most popular are USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 - but what's the difference?
I'm Michele from Rocketyard. Here's what you really need to know.
USB-C is a connection type. USB-C is not Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB-4. It is only the connection that those technologies use. To understand the difference between those technologies you have to go past the USB-C connector, even though they all share it.
Thunderbolt and USB-4 are a communication standard, or protocol, that provides a set of features for a computer to interact with devices through that USB-C connection.
All three of these technologies use the USB-C connection type to connect to computers and devices.
The difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 is that Thunderbolt 4 guarantees certain specifications that are optional with the Thunderbolt 3 standard. Thunderbolt 4 is always 40 Gigabits per second, while Thunderbolt 3 and USB-4 can operate at either 20 or 40 Gigabits per second.
The difference between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-4 is purely in the name. The actual standards are identical. In fact, Intel gave the Thunderbolt 3 standard to the USBIF which allowed for the adoption of the technology on USB-4 devices. As far as compatibility and performance goes, they are practically the same even though the names are different.
As far as cables go, regardless of whether the device is USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4, it's best to purchase a Thunderbolt 4 cable to work with any of those devices to guarantee full compatibility.
Since Thunderbolt 4 includes support for USB and DisplayPort, if you see the Thunderbolt logo - a small lightning bolt and the number four on the cable - you know that connection can do it all.
I'm Michele from Rocketyard. Thank you for watching.
12.9-inch iPad Pro review roundup: A gorgeous screen and tremendous speed
by Michael Simon, macworld
Like the iMac, the new iPad Pro goes on sale this week and the first reviews are beginning to arrive. As expected, the screen and the processor are mind-blowingly good.
Dieter Bohn at the Verge calls the iPad Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display "the best thing for watching movies that isn't a high-end television" and "functionally equivalent to a high-end OLED TV." It's so good, he says, that you won't even notice it at first: "The magic kicks in when you are viewing videos or photos in full-screen. When you do that, the iPad Pro kicks into a different HDR mode (or in Apple's parlance, XDR, for "Extreme Dynamic Range") that really is stunning."
Federico Viticci writing at MacStories agrees. He concludes that "from a mere hardware standpoint, the new iPad Pro is everything I could have possibly dreamed of this year," with "the best display I've ever seen in a portable computer." He had a similar eureka moment as Bohn when playing HDR videos: "if you're a videographer or photographer, you'll instantly see and understand the impact of wider color reproduction; if you're a 'regular' iPad user who doesn't work in those fields, you won't see the effects of the XDR display in the UI of Apple Mail or Files, but you'll 'get it', just like I did, as soon as you watch HDR content, play a game, or browse your photo library."
At CNBC, Todd Haselton found the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's display "looked brighter outside in direct sunlight than my 2018 11-inch iPad Pro," while Ars Technica's Samuel Axon found "the difference in contrast and black levels (between the new iPad Pro's display and the old one) is, no pun intended, night and day."
All of the reviews we read praised the iPad's speedy M1 processor but also had a common refrain: Why? Over at Macworld Sweden, Jonas Ekelund called the iPad Pro "almost unnecessarily fast" and "the greatest leap between two generations that we have seen," but wondered "what this means in the long run." Writing at Six Colors, Jason Snell sums it up best: "Processor power, fast storage, copious RAM, and fast networking are all great specs—but they're valueless unless they can be put to use. I love the iPad, but Apple's hardware continues to move at a pace that its software can't keep up with. The iPad Pro is ready. So now what?"
Apple announces a host of new accessibility features across many of its devices and services
by Jason Cross, macworld
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is Thursday, May 20. To commemorate the date and better support many of its differently-abled customers, Apple has announced a big batch of new accessibility features across multiple products and services.
Some, like a new SignTime service and Today at Apple sessions in ASL and BSL, will launch on May 20. Others, like AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch and background sounds for neurodiverse users, are coming in software updates later this year. (Apple does not specify, but it's likely this fall's releases of iOS 15, macOS 12, and watchOS 8.)
Accessibility updates coming May 20
Some of the accessibility features and services launching this week include:
SignTime: Enables customers to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care by using American Sign Language (ASL) in the US, British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK, or French Sign Language (LSF) in France, right in their web browsers. Customers visiting Apple Store locations can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking ahead of time.
Apple Fitness+: Trainer and award-winning adaptive athlete Amir Ekbatani talks about Apple's commitment to making Fitness+ as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Shortcuts for Accessibility Gallery: Provides useful Siri Shortcuts for tracking medications and supporting daily routines, and a new Accessibility Assistant Shortcut helps people discover Apple's built-in features and resources for personalizing them.
Today at Apple: Live virtual sessions in ASL and BSL throughout the day on May 20 that teach the basics of iPhone and iPad for people with disabilities. In some regions, Today at Apple will offer increased availability of Accessibility sessions in stores, through May 30.
App Store: Customers can read stories about Lucy Edwards, an influencer on TikTok who is blind and shares her favorite accessible apps, Apple is also spotlighting FiLMiC Pro, which is among the most accessible video apps for blind and low vision filmmakers, and more in the new Express Yourself Your Way collection.
Apple TV app: Spotlights its Barrier-Breaking Characters collection which celebrates authentic disability representation onscreen and behind the camera.
Apple Books: Adds reading recommendations from author and disability rights activist Judith Heumann, along with other themed collections.
Apple Maps: Features new guides from Gallaudet University, the world's premier university for Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deafblind students.
Accessibility features coming later this year
In addition to those features and services coming on May 20, Apple has a lot of stuff coming in new versions of iOS, macOS, and watchOS later this year. They include the following:
AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch: Using built-in motion sensors like the gyroscope and accelerometer, along with the optical heart rate sensor and on-device machine learning, Apple Watch can detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, which lets users navigate a cursor on the display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.
Eye-Tracking Support for iPad: Compatible MFi devices will track where a person is looking onscreen and the pointer will move to follow the person's gaze, while extended eye contact performs an action, like a tap.
Enhancements to Image Descriptions via VoiceOver: Users can now explore even more details about the people, text, table data, and other objects within images. Users can navigate a photo of a receipt like a table: by row and column, complete with table headers. VoiceOver can also describe a person's position along with other objects within images.
Support for Bi-directional MFi hearing aids: The microphones in these new hearing aids enable those who are deaf or hard of hearing to have hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations. The next-generation models from MFi partners will be available later this year.
Audiogram Support: Apple is also bringing support for recognizing audiograms—charts that show the results of a hearing test—to Headphone Accommodations. Users can quickly customize their audio with their latest hearing test results imported from a paper or PDF audiogram.
Background Sounds: Apple is introducing new background sounds to help minimize distractions and help users focus, stay calm, or rest. Balanced, bright, or dark noise, as well as ocean, rain, or stream sounds continuously play in the background to mask unwanted environmental or external noise, and the sounds mix into or duck under other audio and system sounds.
Sound Actions for Switch Control: Replaces physical buttons and switches with mouth sounds — such as a click, pop, or "ee" sound — for users who are non-speaking and have limited mobility.
Display and Text Size settings: Can be customized in each app for users with colorblindness or other vision challenges to make the screen easier to see. Users will be able to customize these settings on an app-by-app basis for all supported apps.
What you need to enjoy amazing lossless audio on Apple Music
by By Killian Bell, cultofmac
Apple will roll out lossless audio and Dolby Atmos support on Apple Music next month, and the upgrades will come at no additional cost to subscribers. But they do have one rather significant caveat.
High-resolution lossless tracks can't be enjoyed on AirPods — not even the $549 AirPods Max. So what can you enjoy them on? We'll explain everything you need to make the most of Apple Music's big changes.
Apple calls the improvements the "biggest advancement ever in sound quality" for Apple Music. "Listening to a song in Dolby Atmos is like magic," said Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music and Beats. "Apple Music as we know it is about to change forever."
You'll be able to enjoy some of that magic with Apple headphones. Spatial Audio with support for immersive Dolby Atmos will be available on all AirPods and Beats with an H1 or W1 chip. You will also be able to listen to it through the built-in speakers on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
However, to enjoy lossless audio, you'll need certain hardware.
How to listen to lossless audio on Apple Music
Lossless audio uses the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) "to preserve every single bit of the original audio file." Little details that often get stripped out when a song is compressed for other formats remain intact, so you hear every track exactly as the artist created it.
More than 75 million tracks will be available in ALAC format through Apple Music when lossless audio rolls out in June. You'll have three resolutions to choose from: 16 bit at 44.1 kHz, which is CD quality; 24 bit at 48 kHz, and "Hi-Resolution Lossless" of 24 bit at 192 kHz.
To take full advantage of Hi-Res Lossless audio, you'll need "external equipment," Apple says. It's not available on AirPods — not even AirPods Max when connected to your device with a cable — or on HomePod or the built-in speakers on your Apple devices.
The right hardware
Something like the Audioengine D1, currently priced at $169 on Amazon, would be sufficient. It plugs into your Mac and to speakers or headphones, and supports Apple Music's highest quality setting of 24 bit at 192 kHz. The $109.99 FiiO K3 does a similar job.
If you already splashed out on AirPods Max, however, and you have no interest in spending more, you're not completely out of luck. Connect your headphones to your iPhone with a cable and you will be able to enjoy 24-bit lossless audio at 48 kHz.
Enabling lossless audio on Apple Music
When lossless audio rolls out, you'll need to enable it manually by following these steps:
Open the Settings app on your device.
Tap Music.
Tap Audio Quality then choose one of the lossless audio resolutions.
The higher the quality of your audio, the larger the audio file. (That's one of the reasons why Hi-Res Lossless currently can't be streamed to wireless headphones over Bluetooth.) Bear that in mind if you're streaming over a data connection or you have less than stellar internet speeds.
AssistiveTouch lets users control Apple Watch by clenching a fist
by Lewis Wallace, cultofmac
AssistiveTouch lets users control Apple Watch by clenching their fists.
Apple plans to release software updates this year that will make its devices far easier to use for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.
The features include AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch, which offers astonishing new ways for people with limited mobility to control the smartwatch without tapping its screen. The new feature uses Apple Watch's array of sensors to interpret the wearer's movement into interactions.
Cupertino showcased AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch — which lets users maneuver a cursor on the wearable's screen simply by clenching their fist and pinching their fingers together, among other things — in a remarkable video. (We embedded the video below — definitely watch it.)
But AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch is just the beginning of Apple's latest big push into accessibility.
"At Apple, we've long felt that the world's best technology should respond to everyone's needs, and our teams work relentlessly to build accessibility into everything we make," said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of global accessibility policy and initiatives, in a press release Wednesday. "With these new features, we're pushing the boundaries of innovation with next-generation technologies that bring the fun and function of Apple technology to even more people — and we can't wait to share them with our users."
The new features unveiled Wednesday join AssistiveTouch (previously available on iPhone and iPad), VoiceOver and other innovations designed to help people with disabilities get the most out of their Apple devices — and their lives. Apple showcases these features on the recently revamped Accessibility section of its website.
AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch
Apple described the wild new AssistiveTouch features coming to Apple Watch like this:
To support users with limited mobility, Apple is introducing a revolutionary new accessibility feature for Apple Watch. AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows users with upper body limb differences to enjoy the benefits of Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls. Using built-in motion sensors like the gyroscope and accelerometer, along with the optical heart rate sensor and on-device machine learning, Apple Watch can detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, which lets users navigate a cursor on the display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench. AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch enables customers who have limb differences to more easily answer incoming calls, control an onscreen motion pointer, and access Notification Center, Control Center, and more.
And here's that astonishing video that showcases the new Apple Watch AssistiveTouch interactions:
The video provides a vivid reminder of Apple's enduring knack for coming up with novel user interfaces.
SignTime is just one of the new features for deaf and hard of hearing people.
SignTime and bi-directional hearing aid support
For the deaf and hard of hearing, the Made for iPhone certification will add support for bi-directional hearing aids.
"The microphones in these new hearing aids enable those who are deaf or hard of hearing to have hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations," Apple said.
And sign language users can take advantage of a new service launching Thursday called SignTime.
"This enables customers to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care by using American Sign Language (ASL) in the US, British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK, or French Sign Language (LSF) in France, right in their web browsers," the company said. "Customers visiting Apple Store locations can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking ahead of time. SignTime will initially launch in the US, UK, and France, with plans to expand to additional countries in the future."
Apple also will add support for recognizing audiograms, the charts generated by hearing tests, to its accessibility features for AirPods and Beats headphones.
"Users can quickly customize their audio with their latest hearing test results imported from a paper or PDF audiogram," Apple said. "Headphone Accommodations amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to suit a user's hearing."
iPad eye-tracking support
Other new accessibility features in the pipeline include iPad support for third-party hardware that allows control of the tablet by tracking the user's eyes.
"Later this year, compatible MFi devices will track where a person is looking onscreen and the pointer will move to follow the person's gaze, while extended eye contact performs an action, like a tap," Apple said.
VoiceOver upgrade
Apple's VoiceOver screen reader for blind and low vision users "will get even smarter using on-device intelligence to explore objects within images," the company said.
Building on recent updates that brought Image Descriptions to VoiceOver, users can now explore even more details about the people, text, table data, and other objects within images," Apple said. "Users can navigate a photo of a receipt like a table: by row and column, complete with table headers. VoiceOver can also describe a person's position along with other objects within images — so people can relive memories in detail, and with Markup, users can add their own image descriptions to personalize family photos."
And "in support of neurodiversity," Apple will add new background sounds to iPhone and other devices "to help minimize distractions." This could help users with cognitive disabilities "focus, stay calm, or rest."
"Balanced, bright, or dark noise, as well as ocean, rain, or stream sounds continuously play in the background to mask unwanted environmental or external noise, and the sounds mix into or duck under other audio and system sounds," Apple said.
A new Accessibility Assistant Shortcut will help people "discover Apple's built-in features and resources for personalizing them."
New Memojis will depict people with cochlear implants, supplemental oxygen and protective helmets.
More for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Apple is also launching "new features, sessions, curated collections, and more" to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day this Thursday.
The rollout includes highlighting content in the App Store, Apple Fitness+, Apple Books and the Apple TV app.
Plus, the Today at Apple program will offer "live, virtual sessions in ASL and BSL throughout the day on May 20 that teach the basics of iPhone and iPad for people with disabilities. In some regions, Today at Apple will offer increased availability of Accessibility sessions in stores, through May 30," Apple said.
iOS 14.6 now prompts Apple Watch Series 3 users to restore their device before updating
by Philipe Espósito, 9to5mac
I recently wrote an opinion piece on why Apple should discontinue Apple Watch Series 3 now, as multiple users have been complaining that it has become nearly impossible to install watchOS updates. While the problem is still there, Apple seems to have made some changes in iOS 14.6, which now automatically asks the user to restore their Apple Watch Series 3 before updating it.
As I explained in my previous article, the problem is directly related to the GPS version of the Apple Watch Series 3, which has only 8GB of internal storage. Every time a user tries to update a Series 3 GPS model, they get an error message saying that there's not enough space available to install the update.
I constantly hear from friends who own an Apple Watch Series 3 that they always get the same error when trying to install system updates. watchOS tells them that there isn't enough storage space, even when they don't have any third-party apps installed or music stored. According to Apple, the not-so-user-friendly solution is to completely restore all Apple Watch data and settings to install the latest version of watchOS.
With the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, Apple seems to have given up trying to force users to delete apps and media manually, which almost never solves the problem. As shown by a 9to5Mac reader on Twitter (with a screenshot in Portuguese), iOS 14.6 simply asks the user to unpair and restore the Apple Watch Series 3 in order to install watchOS updates.
To install the watchOS update, unpair your Apple Watch and pair it again in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Previously, the message only recommended that the user should delete some content before trying to install the update again.
To install the watchOS update, your Apple Watch needs at least 3.0GB of available storage. You can free up storage by deleting apps using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Unfortunately, this also suggests that Apple is unlikely to fix this for Apple Watch Series 3 users. Whether this means that Series 3 models will be discontinued and will not support watchOS 8, we will find out in a few days at WWDC 2021.
Hands-on: Tips and tricks for using the Apple TV Siri remote to control your TV, receiver, and speakers
by Michael Potuck, 9to5mac
One of the big changes arriving with the second-gen Apple TV 4K is the all-new Siri Remote. Along with the new design comes a dedicated power button to control not just the set-top box but also your TV and receiver. Let's look at how to control power and volume with your Apple TV Siri Remote, including troubleshooting tips and more.
HDMI-CEC support is the feature that allows the new Siri Remote to power your TV and receiver on/off, control volume, and select the right input. The old Siri Remote and Apple TV Remote also feature this functionality, but without a dedicated power button, it's less convenient and intuitive to use.
Another benefit of HDMI-CEC is that you don't have to have a direct line of sight to your TV/receiver to control them.
And if you don't want to upgrade your Apple TV HD or first-gen Apple TV 4K, you can buy the new Siri Remote separately for $59.
How to control your TV and receiver with the Apple TV Siri Remote
Plug-and-play
In a best-case scenario, when you plug in your Apple TV to the HDMI on your TV or receiver, the Siri Remote (new and old) will automatically be set up to power on/off the set-top box, TV/receiver, control volume, and switch to the correct HDMI input that Apple TV is connected to
On the all-new Siri Remote, press the power button to turn on your TV/receiver and Apple TV
Press and hold the power button to turn everything off (you can still press and hold the screen icon button > Sleep)
On the old Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote:
Click the main trackpad to turn everything on
Press and hold the screen icon button > Sleep to turn everything off
The volume controls should work to control whatever speakers you have set up (internal, external, HomePod, etc.)
On the iOS Apple TV Remote in Control Center:
You can tap the Menu button on the iOS Apple TV Remote to power on your TV/receiver and Apple TV from iPhone or iPad
You can also use physical volume buttons on your iPhone/iPad to control the Apple TV volume
Press and hold the display icon > Sleep to power everything off
Another benefit of the new Apple TV 4K is audio return channel (ARC/eARC) support. Particularly for HomePod owners, that means you can push all of your TV audio (even from other devices) through HomePod.
If TV/receiver control isn't working with your Siri/Apple TV Remote, you may need to head to your TV's settings to turn on HDMI-CEC
Apple highlights to look for settings with "Link" or "Sync" as each TV maker labels it differently - this is the TV's settings, not Apple TV settings, so you'll probably need to grab your TV's primary remote
LG: SimpLink
Philips: EasyLink
Samsung: Anynet+
Sharp: Aquos Link
Sony: BRAVIA Sync
Give another try to controlling the volume, or powering off Apple TV/TV/receiver with the Siri Remote
If you're still not able to control volume with the Siri Remote
Head to your Apple TV HD/4K's settings
Navigate to Remotes and Devices > Volume Control > Learn New Device
More
Another option that's available with more and more TVs with the included remotes is the ability to program them to control Apple TV. This can be handy to set up, especially if you switch between Apple TV and other devices often.
On my 2019 Samsung TV, setup for this is found in Sources > Universal Remote. It's quick and easy to set up. Look for a similar setting on your TV.
Even though the new Siri Remote is great, having another option to control your Apple TV can be useful.
How to set HomePod as your Apple TV 4K's default speakers and use ARC universal audio
by Michael Potuck, 9to5mac
The new Apple TV 4K is here with a new processor, high frame rate HDR, all-new Siri remote, ARC support, and more. And one of the great features that will be new to those upgrading from the Apple TV HD (or from other boxes) is the option to set HomePod as Apple TV's default speaker(s).
It's a bit of an awkward situation as the original HomePod has been discontinued, but a single HomePod or stereo pair offers Dolby Atmos support and the ability to be set as Apple TV 4K's default audio output. HomePod mini doesn't offer either of those options.
While first-gen Apple TV 4K owners have been able to use HomePod as the default speakers since last fall, there's likely going to be a good amount of customers who have the discontinued HomePod and are picking up the second-gen Apple TV 4K as an upgrade from the Apple TV HD or another device.
Should you buy the new Apple TV 4K? Here's how it compares to its predecessor
In a nice addition, the new Apple TV 4K also brings HDMI 2.1 with ARC/eARC support to let you use HomePod as your speakers for all sources, not just Apple TV. Here's how to set it all up…
>How to set HomePod as Apple TV 4K default speakers
Apple doesn't always ask if you want to set up HomePod as your default speakers during the initial set up process. If it doesn't:
Head to the Settings app on your Apple TV 4K
If you notice a red badge next to AirPlay and HomeKit, head there first and get that set up, if not skip to step 3
Select Video and Audio
Now choose Default Audio Output
You'll now see available HomePod speakers to set as the default
If you don't see your HomePod showing up, you can head to the Home app on your iPhone. Choose the HomePod you want to use and head to its settings.
Make sure the HomePod room is set to the same as your Apple TV. You can also choose "Create Stereo Pair…" if you don't have that set up yet. Head back to Settings on your Apple TV and follow the steps above.
Here's how the main process looks on Apple TV:
How to use ARC with HomePod on Apple TV 4K
Just below the default audio settings, you'll find the Audio Return Channel (ARC) option.
Make sure your Apple TV is plugged into an ARC or eARC HDMI port on your TV or receiver
Choose Play Television Audio
Click OK
Your TV screen will go black for a moment, then you should be all set
Play Television Audio should now show as "On (ARC/eARC)"
Now all audio sources will play through your HomePod(s)
What do you call a formal outfit for an IPad?
An IP address
Why did the blonde throw her iPad into the ocean?
So she could get it to sync!
My doctor told me I have an unhealthy obsession with iPads.
So he gave me some tablets.
What do you get when you mix a Christmas tree and an IPad? A pineapple.
Got an IPad from my chinese friend...
Nothing beats homemade gifts.
My girlfriend is like my iPad
I don't have an iPad.
Malware Examples
by Ron Sharp and Robert Elphick *
Amazon Delivery Notice
Delete the email, do not call the number.
Spam email from Norton
Clicking next to the senders name you can see the address is not from Norton or Symantec.
Internet Crime
Any one bothered by internet criminal activity should report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at this web page. This includes phishing, malware, spoofing, any demand for money.
I had not used the Apple TV for a while so I had no idea things had changed. Now when I turned on the Apple TV, the familiar menu options were gone. On my computer I went to Display Preferences and clicked Screen Mirroring and it asked for a password. I'm really diligent about keeping track of passwords but I had never created a password for this and had never seen this request before. So of coarse I didn't have any password.
You would not guess how many things I tried to get my pictures to show up on the TV. It might have been funny but not to everyone waiting to see photos. They started to complain and told me to give it up. I was really annoyed that this happened. It had always worked so easily and now Apple messed it up.
One of my positive attributes is probably a negative attribute as well, I am compelled to figure out things like this. It'll drive me crazy until I get it solved. Others were not willing to waste any more time on this dilemma, so we shared photos on my small laptop computer screen. Really not a big deal, just frustrating. Not to mention, me, the Apple guru in the family, couldn't even get his photos to show on the TV!
After viewing photos I went back to working this out. I reset the Apple TV, having to set up location, the network and password, etc. all over again, and retried it and …it worked. This time when the computer mirroring preference asked for the password a code was displayed on the TV screen to use. I typed in the code and it worked.
I don't know what Apple should do to eliminate hassles like this. But they could, for instance, automatically have the Apple TV reset being aware that the new operating system requires it. Or at least it should tell you that the Apple TV has to be reset since the computer is running Big Sur.
I'm sure with all the different devices and software that gets used with many different configurations the possibilities of something like this occurring are astronomical. The more they improve the more they break. There's probably some algorithm that cost thousands of dollars to develop that shows a company how many things they can break before customers start to abandon them and Apple must have a good idea of where they stand!
The new iPhones are not just great mobile phones. Here are some of the main features: The iPhone 12 is the first iPhone with fast 5G speed. It incorporates the newest chip, the A14 Bionic that Apple says will do 11 trillion operations per second. Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro come with OLED displays, "Super Retina XDR" versus the iPhone 11 with LCD display. The 12 has tougher glass they call "ceramic shield." The iPhone 12 has improved night mode and portrait modes for the camera, which were new features with the iPhone 11. And as with the iPhone 11 Pro, the 12 Pro has three camera lens. The 12 has a wide, ultra wide, and 5x optical zoom lens for the telephoto camera.
The iPhone 12 Pro color choices are Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver. The 12 comes in White, Black, Blue, Green, and (Product)Red. In previous years, (Product)Red helped to fund HIV/AIDS programs. Now they redirect "100% of eligible proceeds from (Product)Red purchases to the Global Fund's COVID-19 Response.
MAGIC, the Macintosh Appreciation Group of Island County, serves people who use Macintosh computers, software and peripherals. Our goal is to share information and get answers to questions to make us more productive with our use of technology. Our monthly meetings give us a chance to discuss computer problems and share ideas with other Mac users, feature speakers on specific topics, and to keep apprised of Apple news.
