• Harry Anderson will conduct a ZOOM meeting to include Q&A
• "Updates" with Gary McIntyre
Location:
Online with Zoom - Contact for inclusion in the meeting.
Minutes for MAGIC August 2021 meeting
The August meeting of MAGIC was held per Covid rules via Zoom. There were about 16 people in attendance/online with us.
President Harry Anderson is on vacation, and Ron Sharp is acting as his substitute. Ron called the meeting to order at 4:02.
Business Meeting
Our treasurer, Gary McIntyre, states that we have in our bank account..$8635.58. Our only recent EXPENSE was our purchase of Zoom for our meetings.
Note that MAGIC minutes will no longer include details of the presentation, as these can be viewed on the MAGIC WEBSITE (http://www.whidbey.com/magicmug/data/zoom.html). It usually takes a couple of days to get the meeting uploaded to the webpage.
Also Note: We will continue holding our meetings by Zoom throughout the remainder of 2021.
September's meeting will be by Gary McIntyre on UPDATES;
October, Ron Sharp will present the topic, FINDING FILES;
November, Robert-will show us HOW TO STAY SAFE.
Since we are not meeting in person this year the December Holiday party will not take place.
Presentation
"Sharing Between Devices" is the topic being presented today by Board member, Robert Elphick. This video will be on our website.
Q and A after the presentation
Question: I want to move a mailbox to another place in the list. Once I've moved a mailbox once, I cannot seem to move it another time. Why?
Answer: When it is alphabetical the list will arrange itself, other wise you can move any mailbox to any position. Whether the list is alphabetical or not depends on a variable in unix. If you are a unix geek then you can change it in the library. see https://origin-discussions-us.apple.com/thread/6676397.
Question: Is it okay to go to Big Sur now?
Answer: Yes, in fact Big Sur is about to be replaced with Monterey, which will be the new OS. Listen to Gary's presentation next month for details. This presentation will be given at next month's meeting, on Sept. 15 and will be recorded.
Question: What is the best way to send a large video?
Answer: Robert says he would use Dropbox. There is a 2TB limit on the free version, but it can be upgraded to an even larger size, if desired.
Question: Why do you say to use caution using Notes?
Answer: During the presentation Robert said that he set Notes to be in iCloud - this means that it is not safe so he does not put anything confidential into Notes. If you do not have Notes in the iCloud then you can put anything you want in there.
Question: Can data be put into 2 places at the same time?
Answer: Ron says, that when he creates a note on his phone, it goes to the cloud, but you can put the same note on another device. You can make a copy of the file if you want to store it on your Mac. Robert says that if you are using iCloud you can make a copy and put one in the iCloud and the other on you computer if you want the file to be on both.
Question: When we move a file from DROPBOX to Cloud, does it get removed from your device?
Answer:It depends - if you put a file into the DropBox folder on your Mac then it will synchronize to the cloud until you remove it from the DropBox Folder, but if you copy the file to the cloud using a browser then it will remain where you copied it from and it is up to you to delete it from your computer.
Question: I get magazines and want to read them from another device.
Answer: Robert says he drags the magazine (usually in PDF format) to the Books application and then he can read it there or use the Finder to move it to the Books on his iPad to read away from his computer (e.g. in bed).
Question: Sometimes I find a "relocated items" folder on my desktop. What should I do with that?
Answer: You don't need these, Trash them! They are created every time the OS in updated and are an alias to files located in the Shared user. Go to the Shared user and delete them there and then delete the alias file from your desktop.
Question: Penny reported she is getting warnings that her latest Time Machine backup failed
Answer: There could be several reasons for this: 1) Time Machine partition may be too full. 2) The format of the drive may be old.
SOLUTION: Have some one look at the drive, or Send images of drive, size and partitions age and format to Robert. [In the end it turned out the disk had gone bad and had to be replaced. This happens!]
With no further questions being posed, Ron adjourned the meeting at 5:00.
Our next MAGIC meeting is on 15th of September via Zoom. Gary McIntyre will do a presentation on "Updates ".
Respectfully Submitted,
Penny Holland, Secretary
MAGIC Musings
by Harry Anderson, MAGIC President
My spouse and I took a trip on an airplane last month for this first time in more than 19 months. We had been planning it since April, when it appeared what Covid-19 was finally on its way out. Then, of course, it came back with a vengeance right when we were traveling. It made us all the more cautious as we went to visit friends and enjoy beautiful Taos, New Mexico. Fewer fine dining experiences, less strolling in crowded plazas and art galleries. More time sitting around with our vaccinated friends, eating lots of Southwestern takeout and enjoying the fresh air in that wonderful spot.
What also stands out for me from that experience was how essential all our devices have become at this precarious moment in time. Before we left, I used my iMac to find out how many Covid cases had arisen in Taos the week before we went there. (It was relatively low compared to Whidbey, which has experienced a spike recently.) I also used it to check on how good the air filtration system is on Alaska Airlines jets. (Alaska has installed new Hepa filter systems on all its planes that exchange the air every two to three minutes.) And I checked to make sure Hertz would guarantee us a car at the Albuquerque airport. (It did.) All that helped relieve some of our anxiety about traveling.
While there, the iPhone was never used for phone calls but was in constant use for texting with the woman housesitting for us and our friends who were already in Taos and wanted to know exactly where we were in our drive to them and when we would arrive.
The iPad was used extensively for emailing and news surfing. And we even used it to play some smooth jazz on Pandora while chatting with our friends.
Our Apple devices helped us navigate what could have been a treacherous journey. I know comedians sometimes joke about how everybody seems glued to a device all the time. I think in the middle of a pandemic that's not a bad thing.
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.
HomePod 14.7 Software Released With New Features - How to Install
by Ali Salman
Today, Apple has seen fit to release the new 14.7 software update for the HomePod and HomePod mini. If you happen to own the smart speaker, you can install it right now and take advantage of the new speakers. The latest update is highly recommended for users since the smart speakers have been running into some issues.
The new HomePod 14.7 software update is designed to work with the recently released iOS 14.7 update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, the new HomePod 14.7 software update allows users to manage timers directly from the Home app on the iPhone and iPad. In addition to this, Apple states that the update also brings general performance updates along with enhancing stability.
We recently covered that some HomePod users were complaining of sudden failures and overheating. The issue was persistent on devices running the previous iOS 14.6 update. While the new HomePod 14.7 software update is available, we are not sure if Apple has fixed the issues with the release, Nonetheless, we will let you guys know as soon as we have further information on the subject.
HomePod 14.7 Software Update
If you are interested, you should know that installing the HomePod 14.7 software update is as easy as it gets. The update will be installed on your HomePod automatically unless you have disabled the feature. If you have, this is what you have to do.
Launch the Home app and tap on the Home icon.
Tap on "Home Settings" if you have multiple Home setups and select the desired home and then scroll down to "Software Update."
If you have one home setup, simply scroll down and tap on "Software Update."
Pull down from the iPhone's top and check for an update.
This is all that you have to do. At this point in time, this is all that is present in the update. We will let you guys know as soon as something new is discovered in the update.
Apple broadens Racial Equity and Justice Initiative with $30 million in new commitments
by Apple
Efforts include the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub, expanded learning opportunities for HBCUs, the first Apple Entrepreneur Camp for Hispanic/Latinx Founders and Developers, and funding for organizations driving criminal justice reform and environmental justice.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced $30 million in new commitments as part of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), supporting students, innovators, and advocacy organizations that are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, more just world. These new projects include a Global Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub; expanded education initiatives for community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); a new cohort of the Apple Entrepreneur Camp immersive tech lab for Hispanic/Latinx founders and developers; and funding for leaders working to advance criminal justice reform and environmental justice.
These new commitments build on Apple's $100 million initial investment in REJI, and will help elevate equity-focused solutions across the academic and advocacy landscapes. As 60 percent of undergraduate students at HSIs and HBCUs are Hispanic/Latinx or Black, Apple's new projects will help equip the next generation of students and leaders to dismantle structures that perpetuate inequities and institutional racism.
"The call to build a more just and equitable world is an urgent one, and at Apple, we feel a collective responsibility to help drive progress forward," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The commitments we're sharing will help the young leaders of today and tomorrow start new businesses, develop groundbreaking innovations, and inspire countless others to join the fight for justice. We're grateful to all of the trailblazing organizations we're partnering with for their tireless dedication to equity as we work toward a better future together."
What Apple's new App Store policy could mean for your favorite apps
by Parker Ortolani, 9to5mac
Late last night, Apple announced that it's finally going to let developers redirect users off their apps to sign up for services outside of the App Store. It's a major shift for "reader" apps that has been long requested by companies like Spotify and Netflix. Reader apps include things like music services, video streaming, digital magazines, newspaper subscriptions, eBook readers, even podcast players. Starting next year, some of your favorite apps will have new ways to manage your account and subscriptions as a result of this new policy.
At the moment, if you download an app like Spotify, you cannot sign up for the service within the app. This is in part due to Spotify's resistance to Apple's revenue split for in-app purchases and App Store subscriptions. Currently, when you launch Spotify on the iPhone, you are presented with several sign-in options for existing subscribers. But the "sign up free" button asks you for your email address and sends you information on how to sign up for Spotify on the web.
Now, with these changes to the App Store, Spotify can show a web view directly in the app when tapping the sign-up button. This removes a giant barrier to entry for services that compete directly with Apple. Other apps like Netflix suffer from the same problem. Upon launch, you only see a "sign in" button. There's no discernible way to sign up. At the moment, Apple doesn't allow developers to even tell users that they can sign up for a service on the web in their apps. Once these new changes take effect, Netflix can show a button for signing up.
One question that many of us have is whether or not Apple will allow apps like Disney+ that offer in-app purchases to also offer the ability to sign up on the web. Surely Apple won't want to indirectly encourage developers to remove in-app purchases. I find it unlikely that Apple will force developers to choose one or the other.
We can imagine an app like Disney+ showing both the existing "sign up" button that uses Apple's payment system as well as a "use disneyplus.com" link for signing up directly with Disney. An app like Spotify can direct users straight to the web using its "sign up" link or keep its existing setup and add a button for using "Spotify.com." It will be interesting to see how developers incorporate these changes into their apps. This is uncharted territory for Apple and it's highly likely there will be issues around different types of implementations.
Some apps won't be eligible for a web link. Take something like a podcast player versus a podcast subscription service. An app like Luminary that offers a subscription for original content could take advantage of Apple's new policy and offer sign up and account management through a web view in their app. But an app like Overcast or Castro couldn't. That's because they're simply "player" apps that surface content for free from the web. Their subscriptions don't offer access to content, they add premium features.
While some developers may see this as a marginal update to Apple's policy, it's actually quite big. It's going to aid Apple in its effort to fend off antitrust watchdogs. The new policy certainly isn't perfect, but most of Apple's core services competitors fall under "reader" apps and therefore will benefit from the change. What do you think about Apple's new policy? Let us know in the comments below!
If you're the kind of Mac user who personalizes their computer a lot, you may also be interested in changing the way Siri sounds when she replies to your voice commands. This is something that wasn't possible until recently.
Ever since the release of macOS Big Sur 11.3 software update (and newer, of course), Apple is giving users multiple voice options for Siri. No, we aren't talking about Siri's accent selection, which sort of allowed you to switch between different voices. Now you have a total of four different voice options that change how Siri sounds without affecting the accent. Two of them are masculine deeper voices whereas the other two are feminine higher pitched voices, though the voices are plainly labeled as Voice 1, Voice 2, Voice 3, and Voice 4, without any gender suggested or implied.
Let's take a look at how to change Siri's voice on a Mac.
How to Choose a Different Siri Voice on Mac
Before you get started with the following procedure, make sure your Mac is running at least macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later, since the new voice options aren't available on older versions. Once you're done, follow these steps.
Head over to System Preferences on your Mac from the Dock. Alternatively, you can click on the Apple menu and choose "System Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
This will launch a new window on your screen. Here, click on the Siri option which is located in the first row.
Now, you'll see that the older voice selection has been changed to "Voice Variety". Right below, you'll see the new Siri Voice setting with four different voices to choose from. Check out all of them and select the one that you prefer.
That's pretty much all you have to do. You can now exit the System Preferences panel.
If you're not signed in to your Mac with your Apple account, your Mac will not default to one of the voices that you've set upon boot. The selection you made will only be remembered as long as you're logged in with your Apple ID.
Of course, you can still switch between the various Siri accents with the Voice Variety setting in the same menu, if that's something you still prefer. But, do note that only the American voice variety setting offers the new voices. The other varieties limit you to just two voices.
Do you use an iPhone or iPad as your primary mobile device? If so, you'll be able to access the new Siri voice options as long as your device is running iOS 14.5/iPadOS 14.5 or later. Plus, if you're logged into your Mac with your Apple ID, your voice selection will be synced automatically across all your other supported devices.
We hope you managed to set Siri's voice exactly according to your liking. Which voice option did you set for Siri on your Mac? Any specific reason why? Do you want Apple to add even more options? Feel free to share your personal thoughts and sound off in the comments section down below. Don't forget to leave your valuable feedback as well.
macOS 12 Monterey is expected to arrive in September or October of 2021. This series of articles is designed to not only introduce you to new or updated features of Monterey, but to be a reference for readers of The Rocket Yard once Monterey arrives.
There are currently three other articles in this series:
Today we'll take a look at the new Live Text feature of macOS Monterey.
What is Live Text?
Live Text is a Monterey feature that lets you interact with text in any image. Those images can be in your Photos library, in a website article, or scanned using an iPhone or document scanner. Your Mac processes each image with character and word recognition in real-time to make this possible.
Here's an example. I went camping last month at a National Forest campground in Colorado, and I took a picture of the iconic US Forest Service sign:
Photo of a sign
Now let's see the magic of this feature in action.
By clicking on the photo and dragging across the sign, the text is highlighted. With a right-click, I find that I can look up that text (do a Spotlight search), translate it if it is in another language, do a web search using the default search engine, copy the text, share it, or use various services to move the text to other apps.
Live Text in action. Recognized text has been highlighted in the photo and actions are available with a right-click.
How Well Does Live Text Work?
During testing, I found that Live Text worked very well on English, Spanish, and Portuguese text. Even stylized and hand-written text was usually copied and could be translated. That wasn't the case with Russian, although that could change once Monterey ships. This sign (at Disney Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL) mixes font sizes and styles, yet Live Text copied the text…
SEE Tigers,
Bats
Dragons
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Live Text copied this text that was of different sizes, colors, and typefaces
perfectly!
Live Text copied this text that was of different sizes, colors, and typefaces
Live Text is very useful when looking at photos, of course. Did you take a picture of a restaurant sign or window, and you'd like to make a reservation there? Just click the phone number in the picture to call it, send a text, or save it. See something with a long web address? Take a picture of it and use Live Text to click the URL — no need to retype it.
Live Text: Also in iOS and iPadOS 15
As cool as this feature is, you're going to want it everywhere. Apple is happy to oblige by putting Live Text as a feature in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, also expected early this fall.
What to expect from Apple in September: iPhone 13, iOS 15 release, and more
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Now that we're officially into the month of September, the launch of Apple's fall products is closer than ever before. This year, we expect Apple to unveil the iPhone 13 lineup and the Apple Watch Series 7, while there are also new iPads and Macs on the horizon as well. Head below as we round up what to expect from an Apple event in September.
Table of contents
When will the Apple September event take place?
iPhone 13
Apple Watch Series 7
iPad mini and entry-level iPad
Software release dates
What not to expect
Wrap up
When will the Apple September event take place?
As of right now, all evidence points to Apple holding its September event on Tuesday, September 14. This event is expected to be completely virtual yet again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which means Apple will likely give a one-week head's up and send invites to members of the press on September 7.
As has become the trend with Apple's virtual events over the last 18 months, we expect the September event to be pre-recorded video with incredible production value. Expect appearances from Apple CEO Tim Cook and other Apple executives. You'll be able to stream the event through Apple's website, Apple's YouTube channel, and through the Apple TV application on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
We'll be sure to update when Apple officially sends invites for its highly-anticipated September event.
iPhone 13
Unlike last year, which saw the iPhone 12 suffer from a delayed release in October and November, the iPhone 13 is believed to be on track for an announcement and release in September.
What can you expect from the iPhone 13 this year? As of now, rumors suggest that the iPhone 13 will be similar in design to the iPhone 12, but with a smaller notch. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are expected to feature notable camera improvements, as well as ProMotion displays with 120Hz refresh rate support.
Most recently, Bloomberg and Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 13 will feature new satellite communication technology. These features, which could be enabled via a software update in the future, would allow users to send emergency messages when in areas without cell service.
For more details on what to expect from the iPhone 13, be sure to check out our full guide right here with all of the latest rumors and expectations. Here are some tidbits:
New 1TB storage option
mmWave 5G in more countries
Larger batteries
A15 chip inside
…and more
Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to bring a major redesign to Apple's wearable for the first time since 2018. Rumors indicate that this year's Apple Watch will feature a flat-edged design and be available in new 41mm and 45mm sizes, up from 40mm and 44mm. We expect it to be announced at Apple's September event.
While health features are a major selling point of the Apple Watch, we aren't expecting any major updates in this department this year. Apple is said to be working on updates to existing features, including blood oxygen measurement and irregular heart rhythm notifications.
However, reports in late August threw a wrench in expectations. Nikkei and Bloomberg both reported that the Apple Watch Series 7 is facing production delays due to its new design. This could mean that the Apple Watch Series 7 is not announced in September after all, but a more likely outcome is that the device is announced alongside the iPhone 13 but available at a later date and/or in very limited supplies at first.
Check out our full guide right here for more details on the Apple Watch Series 7 expectations.
iPad mini and entry-level iPad
While the iPad Pro was updated earlier this year with the M1 chip and other upgrades, Apple still has two other new iPads in the works for this year. 9to5Mac has reported that Apple is preparing a new iPad mini powered by the same A15 processor as the iPhone 13, as well as a new entry-level iPad with an A13 chip inside. The current 10.2-inch entry-level iPad is powered by the A12 Bionic chip.
Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple is working on a new iPad mini for release as soon as sometime later this year. The new iPad mini is expected to feature slimmer bezels and no Home button. Apple last updated the iPad mini in 2019, bringing a faster A12 Bionic processor.
While we expect these new iPads to be announced sometime this fall, it's unclear whether the announcements will take place during the September event or perhaps during a second event sometime in October or November.
Software release dates
When does iOS 15 come out?$$$$
Finally, we also expect Apple to announce the official release dates for its next round of software updates. While iOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey were unveiled at WWDC, they are still only available in beta.
During the September event, we expect Apple to offer another look at the new features coming in iOS 15 and watchOS 8 and announce official release dates. macOS Monterey is likely not coming until later this year, in October or November.
What not to expect
Sadly, if you've been waiting for the M1X-powered 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, you'll likely have to keep waiting. We don't expect Apple to announce the new M1X Macs during its September event, with rumors currently suggesting a release in October or November is more likely.
The new MacBook Pros are expected to feature mini-LED displays, the return of MagSafe, HDMI, and SD card connectivity options. Apple is also working on a higher-end Mac mini powered by the same M1X chip.
Wrap up
Apple clearly has a lot in store for the month of September after a quiet July and August. Ranging from new iPhones to the release of iOS 15 and more, there's a lot on the books that could certainly make for a packed September event.
Judge says Apple must face Siri privacy lawsuit after 'accidental activations'
by Jose Adorno, 9to5mac
A federal judge said Apple must face nearly all of a proposed class-action lawsuit claiming that its voice assistant Siri violates users' privacy. As reported by Reuters, US District Judge Jeffrey White could try to prove that "Siri routinely recorded their private conversations because of 'accidental activations', and that Apple disclosed these conversations to third parties."
According to the publication, one Siri user said their private discussions with his doctors about a surgical treatment caused them to receive targeted ads for that treatment. There were also other cases in this lawsuit.
"Apple faults plaintiffs for not alleging the contents of their communications, but the private setting alone is enough to show a reasonable expectation of privacy," White wrote.
The judge said the plaintiffs may pursue claims that Apple violated the federal Wiretap Act and California privacy law.
In 2019, Apple was put in the middle of privacy concerns over voice-activated assistants. At that time, the Guardian reported that Apple contractors listen to Siri audios as part of its efforts to improve performance, and often hear sensitive conversations.
The report detailed that many of the things heard by these reviewers are accidental activations of Siri - including private medical conversations, criminal dealings, and more. Recordings are also said to include location and contact details as well as app data.
Then, the company suspended the program, and in a software update addressed this concern about whether you want to share your data to help Siri improve.
Apart from this case, even though Siri is sometimes triggered by the words "Hey" and "Siri," it's unlikely that this is the reason why you're seeing a targeted ad on Instagram. In general, people simply tend to be more predictable than they think they are.
This is why Apple has offered ways to stop third parties to track you over Safari and now lets you decide whether you want apps to track you cross-platform or not.
If you want to learn more about this lawsuit, the case is Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-04577.
Roundup: The iPhone 13 is coming this month; here's what we know so far
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
The fall is shaping up to be a busy one for Apple and the iPhone. With all rumors suggesting that the iPhone 13 lineup is on track for announcement sometime in mid-September, this means we're just weeks away from seeing what's next for the iPhone. Read on as we round up some of the top features to expect from the new iPhones coming this fall.
iOS 15 now prompts users if they want to enable Apple personalized ads, after it was previously on by default
by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5mac
For iOS 15 users, Apple has begun prompting for their consent to enable Personalized Ads for their Apple ID, which allows Apple to use your App Store purchase history and several other demographics, to inform what advertising is displayed in the News and Stocks apps, as well as for targeting App Store Search Ads.
Apple ad targeting, or 'Personalized Ads' as Apple calls it, was previously enabled by default without any kind of prompt. Users had to learn about the preference on their own and navigate four levels deep in Settings to disable it, running somewhat counter to Apple's privacy-first image.
The fact it was on by default has also led to antitrust scrutiny, especially as Apple limited the ability of third-party ad networks to target individual users with the introduction of App Tracking Transparency. Yet, a very similar system for its first-party advertising did not ask for any such permission.
For instance, in France, Apple is currently facing an antitrust complaint that Apple's users were "insufficiently informed about the use of processing of its personal data" when it comes to ad targeting.
It is possible (likely, even) that this new prompt in iOS 15 has been added in response to the imminent court battles.
In addition to the user consent dialog, which appears when opening the App Store on iOS 15, Apple has also added informational links about 'Personalized Recommendations' in the App Store page of the Settings app.
Like before, users can change their preferences at any time by going to Settings -> Privacy -> Apple Advertising and changing the Personalized Ads toggle.
The addition of the dialog explainer now brings Apple's ad policy more in line with what third-party developers were required to as part of App Tracking Transparency. Even if Apple's usage of ad targeting never technically fell under the purview of ATT rules (because it was all 'first-party' data trafficking and ATT only applies when data is shared to third parties), it feels fairer this way.
How to Change Safari Reader View Font & Background on iPhone & iPad
by Hamlin Rosario, osxdaily
Do you take advantage of Safari's Reader View on iPhone or iPad? If so, you may be excited to know that you can further improve the reading experience by changing the text font, as well as the background color of the Reader View in Safari.
Reader View makes it really comfortable to read web content with its neat minimalistic user-interface and it almost feels like you're reading an e-book. One of the major advantages of using Safari's Reader View is that it gets rid of all the unnecessary screen elements, ads, and clutter while reading an article. Thus, Safari Reader View can help you to minimize distractions so that you can stay focused on what you're reading. So, let's get to customizing Safari's Reader View on iPhone and iPad so that your font and background color are more suited to your liking.
How to Change Reader View Font & Background on iPhone & iPad
The following steps are applicable to iPhones and iPad running iOS 13/iPadOS 13 or later.
Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad and head over to the webpage where you want to use Reader View. Simply tap on the "aA" icon next to the address bar to access a pop-up menu.
Next, tap on "Show Reader View" to load the page in Reader View mode.
At this point, you'll be able to customize Reader View. Tap on the highlighted "aA" option at the top-left corner.
Now, you'll be able to manually select your desired background, but you're limited to four options. To use a different Reader View font, tap on "Font".
Now, switch between other fonts to find what you like and select your favorite one. You have nine different options to choose from.
That's pretty much all you need to do to personalize Reader View on your iPhone or iPad.
By default, Safari's Reader View uses the San Francisco font for displaying text content. As for the background, Reader View switches between light and dark backgrounds depending on your iPhone or iPad's system-wide appearance setting. For instance, if you're using Dark Mode, Reader View will display a black background with white text.
Once you've made changes to Safari's Reader View according to your liking, your preferences will be saved and every time you enter Reader View from a webpage, your preferred font style and background will be used. You don't have to worry about personalizing it every time you visit a new webpage.
It goes without saying that some webpages may not support Safari's Reader View feature. If you notice that the "aA" option is grayed out, it means that Reader View isn't available for the current webpage. If you find the text hard to read, you can also increase the font size while you're in Reader View from the same menu.
Bigger 'Apple Watch Series 7' gives users 16% more pixels to play with
by Mike Peterson, appleinsider
A larger screen on the "Apple Watch Series 7" will allow the device to display more data than ever, which Apple is taking advantage of with a series of new watch faces, according to a new report.
Apple will market the two "Apple Watch Series 7" sizes as 41mm and 45mm, up from the current 40mm and 44mm sizes. According to Bloomberg, those sizes refer to the vertical dimensions of the case and not the display size, which will be about 1.9 inches on the larger model, up from 1.78 inches.
Sources told Bloomberg that the 45mm "Apple Watch Series 7" will have a resolution of 396-by-484 pixels, up from 368-by-448 pixels. That means the device will have a screen that can fit about 16% more pixels, allowing it to show more complications. Both watches will have a smaller bezel around the displays, and the smaller model will see a similar jump in screen size.
Some of the watch faces include "Modular Max," which shows the time digitally and features stacked complications that span the length of the screen. A "Continuum" watch face will change based on the flow of time, while an "Atlas" watch face will let a user see all 24 time zones simultaneously. Apple is also working on new Hermes and Nike faces that utilize the larger displays.
While the redesign and display size will take center stage in 2021, Apple is planning a more expansive suite of under-the-hood updates for future watches. The company will also reportedly introduce new models in 2022, including a low-end Apple Watch SE, a rugged model geared towards athletes, and a new flagship model.
Sometime "further in the future," Apple could add a noninvasive glucose monitoring and blood pressure system to the Apple Watch lineup, Bloomberg reported. No timeline on the features was given, however. The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday reported that next year's Apple Watch could feature a thermometer for fertility planning.
Along with the bump in screen real estate, the "Apple Watch Series 7" will also receive a series of other updates. For one, they'll feature a redesigned case with squared edges and faster processors.
Apple is expected to unveil its new "Apple Watch Series 7" models alongside an "iPhone 13" and other devices at a keynote event that could take place as soon as September.
Do you have a lot of apps installed on your Apple Watch? If so, you may want to clean your home screen by hiding or removing the apps that you don't actually use. Fortunately, this is pretty easy to do and you can do it right from your iPhone.
When you set up your Apple Watch and pair it with your iPhone, it automatically installs all the available watchOS apps onto your device. This includes the companion apps for iOS versions of apps installed on your iPhone. Too many apps could potentially clutter your Apple Watch's home screen and it may become difficult to find and open a specific app. This is exactly why you may want to hide unwanted apps from your device.
Hiding & Showing Apps on Apple Watch
Apple's Watch app for iPhone makes it easy to manage the watchOS apps installed on your device. Simply follow the steps below to get started.
Launch the Watch app from your iPhone's home screen.
This will take you to the My Watch section. Here, scroll down and find the app that you want to hide or remove from your watch. Tap on it.
You'll now find the option to show or hide it. You can hide the app by disabling the toggle. Keep in mind that it basically just uninstalls the app from your Apple Watch.
If you want to reinstall the app you hid at any point, scroll down to the very bottom of the My Watch section. Here, you'll see a list of available apps that can be installed. Tap on "Install" to begin the installation and wait for a few seconds for it to complete.
That's all there is to it. Pretty straightforward, right?
Alternatively, you can remove apps directly from your Apple Watch. To do this, press the Digital Crown to access the home screen, long-press on any of the apps to enter jiggle mode, and tap on the "x" icon to uninstall it.
It's worth pointing out that the easiest way to reinstall an app you removed is by using the Watch companion app on your iPhone. To do this directly on your Apple Watch, you'll need to use the App Store app and browse for it specifically.
Are you new to the watchOS ecosystem? In that case, you may also be interested in learning how you can set the watch face directly from your iPhone. This method could be handy if you're having trouble getting used to the tiny screen.
We hope you were able to learn how to hide and show apps stored on your Apple Watch. What do you think of this feature to hide and show apps from watchOS? Let us know your experiences and thoughts in the comments.
WSJ: Apple plans new sleep tracking features, blood pressure tech, and more for future Apple Watch
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Amid reports that the Apple Watch Series 7 is facing production delays and won't feature any new health sensor technology, a new report today reiterates that the Apple Watch is still "at the center of Apple's health ambitions." Apple is exploring a variety of new health features for the Apple Watch for the coming years, the Wall Street Journal says today.
Blood pressure tech
While a report yesterday erroneously suggested the Apple Watch Series 7 could feature blood pressure monitoring capabilities, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman refuted that possibility in a post on Twitter. As such, the Apple Watch Series 7 is not expected to feature any new health sensors, with the focus instead being on a new design and faster processor.
The Wall Street Journal reports today, however, that Apple still has long-term health ambitions for the wearable, including blood pressure monitoring — but without specific numbers. Again, this feature is not expected to make the cut for the Apple Watch Series 7 this year.
The version of the feature under discussion at Apple would try to show users how their blood pressure is trending, but without providing a baseline measure of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, according to people familiar with these plans. Some employees have raised questions to managers about how useful such a feature would be, the people said, though they cautioned that the feature is still in development and could change.
Long term, Apple is also reportedly studying a "cuffless blood-pressure device, which is theorized as a device that could give a blood-pressure reading without inflating."
More advanced sleep tracking
For the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple is said to be investing new sleep tracking features, including the ability to detect advanced sleep patterns and sleep apnea. These features would help the Apple Watch better compete with the latest wearables from companies like Fitbit.
One challenge for Apple in terms of expanding sleep tracking capabilities, however, is battery life. Apple is said to be investigating ways to read data from sensors overnight with as big of an effect on battery life.
Blood glucose
Apple is also studying a watch feature that might detect diabetes, the report says. The company is said to be "struggling" with this process, however, and has not made much progress on the efforts over recent years.
This isn't the first time it has been reported that Apple is studying ways to monitor blood glucose with Apple Watch. Various reports over the years have suggested that Apple is developing a non-invasive glucose monitoring technology, with one report in 2017 indicating that Tim Cook has been seen actively wearing a glucose tracker prototype on his body around Apple's campus.
Today's report also adds that Apple is working with the National University of Singapore on a research project to offer "lifestyle coaching for pre-diabetics who wear more invasive blood-glucose monitoring devices from other companies."
Body temperature
As previously reported by Bloomberg, the Apple Watch Series 8 could feature support for taking a person's temperature. This would require a new sensor to be added to the Apple Watch. "A planned use for the sensor in 2022 would be for fertility planning, the people said, giving women clues about where they are in their ovulation cycle," the WSJ report explains.
In the future, Apple reportedly hopes that this. feature could be used to detect fevers, but it's unclear if that would be available from the start.
Updates to existing features
Finally, the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is pushing the FDA to approve updates to existing capabilities of the Apple Watch.
Separately, Apple wants the FDA to sign off on updates to existing watch features. One such update would allow people diagnosed with the irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, to use the watch feature designed to track that condition, according to the documents and people familiar with the plans. Another would allow the company to alert users if their blood-oxygen level drops, people familiar with the issue said. Today the blood-oxygen sensor provides a reading, but doesn't alert users, and the AFib feature can only be used by people who say they don't have that condition.
Three iPhone engineers and three Android engineers are about to board a train to a computer conference. The Android engineers notice that the iPhone engineers bought only one ticket between them. They ask the iPhone engineers how they plan on getting to the conference. "Watch and learn," one of the opponents tells them. As soon as the train leaves the station, the three iPhone engineers rush from their seats and all squeeze into one restroom. When the conductor comes through the car he knocks on the restroom door and says, "ticket please!" The door cracks open, and one ticket is handed to the conductor. The Android engineers are impressed, and decide that's what they will do on the trip back. Then, on the return trip, the Android engineers notice that the iPhone engineers haven't bought any tickets. "How do you plan on getting home without any tickets?," they ask. "Watch and learn," they answer. As soon as the train leaves the station, the three Android engineers hurry for the restroom. A few moments later, one of the iPhone engineers gets up from his seat, knocks on the restroom door and says, "ticket please!" The door opens, the iPhone team grabs it, and the three run to another restroom where they wait for a the control to pass.
Malware Examples
by Ron Sharp and Robert Elphick *
Someone pretending to be with Norton
Do not call the number - report it to FBI (see below) and then delete the email.
Someone pretending to be with Walmart
Note the "From:" address - it is NOT Walmart
Do not call the number - report it to FBI (see below) and then delete the email.
The bottom of this email has a chunk of nonsense text. It is put there to try and get past email filters. It means it is unsolicited junk mail.
Sometimes the text is in white so you cannot see it without selecting the content.
All you can do is trash it.
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.
After a vacation I often want to share my trip with friends and family. Here are some fun ideas to be creative with your vacation trip photos.
After collecting the best photos and editing them if necessary then I also sort the best videos from the trip. I export them from the Photos app to a folder on my Desktop. Then I proceed to make a movie using iMovie. I import the photos and videos into iMovie and assemble them to make an interesting review of my vacation. In some sections I add a narrative of what's going on and in other parts I include soft background music. iMovie lets you add and overlap soundtracks, along with all the other features.
Another feature of iMovie is the transitions. So when inserting photos between video clips I use the Ken Burns transition option and it gives the impression of movement to a still photo. It makes it blend in nicely.
Then you simply "Share" the video with the Share button in iMovie and choose the format you want. If you want to email the video there is that option but you'll get a rather small video and will still have to ensure the total size of the video is less than 25 MB, depending on your email server. So it would be better to use a cloud service for this. You can use the infamous Drop Box app or other cloud services that offer sharing data. Or you can import the video into your Photos app and then create a "Shared Album." With a shared Photos album in Apple's Photos app you can easily share photos and videos with other Mac users by adding their name/email address to the shared album.
If you want to be able to share with non Mac users you make the Shared Album a public album and send everyone the link to the album.
If you are using iCloud for storing your photos then your photos are automatically going to your Mac from your phone. Photo Streaming is another option from iCloud settings. If you don't use iCloud for your photos then you may be wondering about the step to get the photos and videos from the phone to the Mac. If your preference it not to use iCloud then you can connect your iPhone to your Mac via a cable or bluetooth to sync your photos although you may have to turn off iCloud backups for your phone.
The other option is to create a shared album from your iPhone but you will not be able to create a video with iMovie on the iPhone. Either way, have fun sharing your photos!
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.
