Newsletter Editor:
| Date | 15 February 2023 |
| Presentations: | • Meeting and Q&A with Ron Sharp • Q&A with "A" Team based on questions emailed prior to meeting |
| Location: | by ZOOM on-line |
by Madelyn van der Hoogt, Secretary
Ron Sharp called the meeting to order at 4:03 with 20 members in attendance.
Ron announced that Harry won't be joining us today because he took a fall and is currently in the hospital. Gary McIntyre, the treasurer, will also not be with us. Gary had forwarded the treasury report: $8874.63 as of December 31, 2022.
Ron then announced that an important purpose of today's meeting is to approve the new Bylaws and the 2023 Board of Directors; the meeting is being recorded to have a record of the votes. The program following the business meeting will be questions submitted by members and answered by Ron Sharp and Robert Elphick.
Ron then asked for a show of hands in favor of approving the Bylaws (posted on line) that have been revised to represent the way the group is working now; the vote in favor was unanimous. He then asked for a show of hands in support of the 2023 Board of Directors: Harry Anderson, President; Ron Sharp, Vice President; Gary McIntyre, Treasurer; Madelyn van der Hoogt, Secretary (we are looking for an assistant secretary for times that scheduling conflicts prevent Madelyn from attending); and Directors at Large Penny Holland, Samuel Aaron, and Robert Elphick. The Board was unanimously approved. Ron announced that we are also looking for additional Board members.
The business meeting was then adjourned and Ron and Robert led the program.
Minutes for January 18, 2022
Harry does not like the winter so he is Antartica!
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.
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
A number of new features are rolling out today to HomePod and HomePod mini users. With HomePod software version iOS 16.3, Apple is activating the temperature and humidity sensor in the HomePod mini, adding new features to Siri and more. Head below for the full release notes.
HomePod software 16.3: New features
HomePod software version 16.3 is rolling out now with the build number 2A1467. While Apple released iOS 16.3, macOS 13.2, and watchOS 9.3 yesterday, the company saved HomePod software 16.3 for today. Apple is also now rolling out tvOS 16.3 for the Apple TV.
Bloomberg reported almost two years ago that the HomePod mini included a temperature and humidity sensor that wasn't actually being used. The report speculated that the sensor could be activated through a software update, and that's exactly what Apple is now doing. With today's update, HomePod mini users can now view temperature and humidity data in the Home app on their iPhones.
by osxdaily
Apple has released iOS 16.3 for iPhone. The iOS 16.3 update includes support for physical security keys, a Black History Month celebratory wallpaper, support for the second generation HomePod, and a variety of other smaller changes, along with bug fixes and security enhancements. The update is recommended for all eligible iPhone users to install.
by osxdaily
Apple has released MacOS Ventura 13.2 as a software update for Mac users running the Ventura operating system. MacOS Ventura 13.2 includes bug fixes and security enhancements, and is therefore recommended for all Mac users running the latest OS release.
by Mike Wuerthele, appleinsider
The second Apple Silicon Mac mini has arrived two years after the line first migrated, and with the M2 processor, it remains the best computer for switchers, and for the computer as appliance crowd.
The usual refrain for the Mac mini is that it's a simple and good value way to get people into the Mac ecosystem, and this is no different. In an unobtrusive block of aluminum, Apple packs in more than enough computing power to keep people productive, in an overall inexpensive package.
These qualities makes the Mac mini a fantastic tool for switchers, coders who need Windows and Mac hardware, and those looking for a quick computing upgrade for their desktop.
In 2023, Apple has gone with an entry-level M2 and a higher-end model with the M2 Pro. This is a similar strategy that it had with the Intel Mac mini, and been rumored for some time.
The two tiers serve very different markets. In this review, we'll be examining the $599 configuration with 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and the M2 processor. We'll be looking at the M2 Pro in a future review.
Mac mini is very much a known quantity in the Apple catalog, and it has steadfastly remained the same externally between generations. You know deep down that the new one's more powerful than the last, and it will do what you want it to do.
Maxed out Mac mini, Mac Studio, iMac, Mac Pro - what you get for the money
by Wesley Hilliard, appleinsider
The price range for Mac desktops is incredible, but we've compared the significant differences between the base models and maxed-out configurations, priced between $599 and $52,199.
Apple's desktop lineup is more varied in design and functionality than its MacBook lineup. These computers come in multiple shapes and sizes and have the full range of Apple Silicon available.
Apple even still sells a Mac Pro with Intel processors and Radeon graphics. Don't forget the $400 wheels.
Despite the range of options, customers shouldn't have difficulty deciding which Mac works best for them. Start with which processor will best suit their needs, then work backward into which product has that processor.
We've configured each of Apple's desktop Macs with the maximum available upgrades and compared them to their respective base models to determine if the upgrades are worthwhile.
by Wesley Hilliard, appleinsider
Maxing out a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro can be pricey, but we've compared these high-end configurations with their respective base models to determine if it's worth the cost.
Apple offers a wide variety of MacBooks priced from $999 to $6,499 that can meet nearly any computing need. The entire MacBook lineup has moved to the M2 processor line, so speccing these products out will depend mostly on RAM and processor CPU needs.
Speccing out a Mac has become much less complicated in recent years thanks to Apple Silicon. Users only need to choose their display size, processor version, RAM, and storage before checking out. Before, Intel complicated things with various processor generations and clock speeds that were insurmountable for most customers.
We've configured each of Apple's MacBooks with the maximum available upgrades and compared them to their respective base models to determine if the upgrades are worthwhile.
by Dennis Sellers, macsales, rocket yard blog
I run several church sports leagues (softball, volleyball, and basketball) and often need to send the same group of players messages about schedules, rain-outs, etc. To make my life easier, I gather all their addresses into a group by using the macOS Contacts and Mail apps.
How to create a new group in Contacts
How to add members to a group
Now you can add members to the group from your existing Contact entries or add new contacts.
How to send an email to the group
To send an email to the group, open a new message in Mail. Enter the group name in the To field.
How to delete a group
You can delete a group if you no longer need it. In the Contacts app on your Mac, select the group or Smart Group in the sidebar.
by Andrew Orr, appleinsider
Two women were recently stranded in British Columbia and were successfully rescued thanks to Apple's Emergency SOS — and it may have been the first such rescue in the area. On newer Apple devices, such as the iPhone 14 lineup, Apple added a safety feature that helps people contact emergency services using a satellite connection. One of the women did have an iPhone 14 when the pair got lost on December 23, according to Times Colonist.
The women were traveling back to Alberta, Canada, when they noticed a highway was closed due to an accident. Using Google maps to find an alternative route, they decided to go through the Holmes Forest Service Road.
But the road was only partially plowed, and the women made it to where the grader had stopped.
by D. Griffin Jones, cultofmac
You could have dozens of copies of the same images in your Photos library, taking up space on your phone and in your iCloud account. Luckily, Apple offers an easy-to-use little tool that lets you find duplicate photos and delete the copies, all right from the Photos app.
These types of duplicate images can accumulate more quickly than you might expect. They arise if you make a copy of a photo to edit, if you screenshot a photo to bump it to the top of your Camera Roll, or if you save the same image out of Messages twice by accident. In fact, I found a bunch of duplicates in my own carefully curated library.
It's a surprisingly sophisticated feature that took Apple engineers a fair amount of smarts to cook up (more on that later). Here's how to use Apple's duplicate image remover and get rid of all those unnecessary files.
To use this new feature in the Photos app, you need to install iOS 16, which Apple released last year. iOS 16 is compatible with every iPhone released in 2017 and later: the iPhone 8, X, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14 models and iPhone SE (both second and third generation).
To use the feature on iPad and Mac, you'll need to download iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, also released late last year.
by osxdaily
One of the more fun ways to customize an iPhone is to set the lock screen wallpaper to shuffle between a collection of photos. Maybe you'd like to rotate through a variety of your favorite wallpapers on your lock screen, or perhaps you've got a collection of vacation photos, favorite pictures, or fancy wallpapers that you'd like to cycle through. That's exactly what this feature is designed for.
You can now easily set your iPhone to rotate through a series of photos as your wallpaper, so let's check out how this works.
To have your iPhone automatically shuffle between wallpapers, you will need iOS 16 or later. Earlier versions of iOS do not support the feature natively, but they can automatically witch wallpapers in a different capacity through the Shortcuts app if desired.
by osxdaily
Fortunately all new model iPhones follow the same procedure for powering off and powering on, so once you master the concepts on an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14, you'll be able to apply the same techniques to other newer model iPhone and iPad devices as well.
We're going to show you how you can turn off an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14, including the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Plus, as well as how to turn them back on again.
How to Turn On & Off iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus Here's how you can turn off the iPhone 14 series, and turn it back on again. It's easy:
Press and hold either Volume Up or Down button, and the side Power/Lock button concurrently until you see the "Slide to Power Off" screen appear How to turn off iPhone 14 Pro
Now slide on "Slide to Power Off" to shut off the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro How to Turn iPhone 14 series Off & On
To turn the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 back on again, simply hold the side Power / Lock button until you see the Apple logo appear on screen Booting iPhone 14 Pro
That's all there is to it, now you know how you can turn off the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
As mentioned earlier, this is the same trick that works on basically all new model iPhones with Face ID, and new iPad models too, so learn this method once and you'll be able to apply it to basically all iOS and iPadOS devices.
from Apple
Before taking a photo, you can use Camera tools to customize and improve your shot.
Adjust the camera's focus and exposure
Before you take a photo, the iPhone camera automatically sets the focus and exposure, and face detection balances the exposure across many faces. If you want to manually adjust the focus and exposure, do the following:
On iPhone 11 and later, you can precisely set and lock the exposure for upcoming shots. Tap the Camera Controls button, tap the Exposure button, then move the slider to adjust the exposure. The exposure locks until the next time you open Camera. To save the exposure control so it's not reset when you open Camera, go to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings, then turn on Exposure Adjustment.
Turn the flash on or off
Your iPhone camera is set to automatically use the flash when needed. To manually control the flash before you take a photo, do the following:
Take a photo with a filter
Use a filter to give your photo a color effect.
Use the timer
You can set a timer on your iPhone camera to give yourself time to get in the shot.
To set a timer, open Camera, then do one of the following:
Use a grid to straighten your shot
To display a grid on the camera screen that can help you straighten and compose your shot, go to Settings > Camera, then turn on Grid.
After you take a photo, you can use the editing tools in the Photos app to further align shots and adjust horizontal and vertical perspective. See Straighten and adjust perspective.
by William Gallagher, Appleinsider
Apple plans health and wellness experiences for Apple AR headset
Internal Apple demonstrations of its planned Apple AR technology have reportedly concentrated on wellbeing, such as meditation. Four sources, as reported by the typically reliable "The Information," have spoken of Apple's plans to allow users to create and sell their own AR apps. At the same time, they have also revealed some elements of Apple's vision for what such headsets will be used for.
As it ultimately has done with the Apple Watch, the company is reportedly focusing on health. It's specifically emphasizing wellbeing features such as exercise and meditation.
Reportedly, an early demo for Apple executives had a headset helping a wearer believe they were sitting in a Zen garden.
Other demos conducted within Apple include a walk-through version of Dr Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go" book. Three sources told The Information that the book's fantastical environments become merged with the real world.
Apple has yet to announce its AR devices, but it's expected to launch at least the first one in 2023. It's also entering a market that does already have Meta, but remains ill-defined.
The Information has a decent track record as it pertains to reports like this, surrounding Apple's software plans and internal demonstrations. It generally does not speculate on timetables for release.
from Apple
Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a safe and secure smart home experience
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced HomePod (2nd generation), a powerful smart speaker that delivers next-level acoustics in a gorgeous, iconic design. Packed with Apple innovations and Siri intelligence, HomePod offers advanced computational audio for a groundbreaking listening experience, including support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks. With convenient new ways to manage everyday tasks and control the smart home, users can now create smart home automations using Siri, get notified when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected in their home, and check temperature and humidity in a room — all hands-free.
The new HomePod is available to order online and in the Apple Store app starting today, with availability beginning Friday, February 3. "Leveraging our audio expertise and innovations, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural mid-range, and clear, detailed highs," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With the popularity of HomePod mini, we've seen growing interest in even more powerful acoustics achievable in a larger HomePod. We're thrilled to bring the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world."
by Griffin Jones, cultofmac
The Apple Watch borrows a lot from the iPhone, but the biggest difference between them is down to the extra buttons. They each do different things whether you click, double-click or hold them down. What do the Apple Watch buttons do?
Here's a quick guide to get you started.
Meaning of the Apple Watch buttons
The digital crown (the dial on the side) does the following:
It's not as obvious what the side button does:
Meaning of Apple Watch Ultra buttons
The Apple Watch Ultra has an additional button on the opposite side called the Action button:
by Penny Holland, MAGIC*
Why wasn't the computer able to remove its hat?
Caps lock was on.
by Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica
Over the past month, Google has been outgunned by malvertisers with new tricks.
Searching Google for downloads of popular software has always come with risks, but over the past few months, it has been downright dangerous, according to researchers and a pseudorandom collection of queries.
"Threat researchers are used to seeing a moderate flow of malvertising via Google Ads," volunteers at Spamhaus wrote on Thursday. "However, over the past few days, researchers have witnessed a massive spike affecting numerous famous brands, with multiple malware being utilized. This is not 'the norm.'"
by Ron Sharp and Robert Elphick, MAGIC *
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.
by Ron Sharp, MAGIC
The "By the Way" section of the MAGIC newsletter is where you'll find articles that I write for the group. Back in March of 2021 I added a recurring heading in that section called "Entertaining Sites." After a year of covid isolation I thought this might add some fun moments for readers. In December of 2021 the heading changed to "Entertaining Videos" since these snippets were all short videos. In May of 2022 the Heading changed again to "Fun or Informative Videos" because I was adding some videos that were informative as well as entertaining.
So if you've missed this part of the newsletter in the past you have a bunch of entertaining times ahead. You can go back to previous newsletters and check them out. A few of the videos are no longer available for various reasons.
Also, at the top of the newsletter webpage on the MAGIC site is an articles link to all the headings called "Linked Index." That's also an easy way to search for any subject you might want to find information on. Additionally, you can use the "Find" function under the "Edit" menu or use the keystroke shortcut "Command F." (⌘F).
by Ron Sharp, MAGIC
One of the fun things about mobile phones is the never ending updates! Ha! But of course you should install the updates. It keeps your phone more secure and may correct bugs that are often being discovered. But also, things get more difficult when you get too far behind on updates.
Another fun thing is the changes that updates add that we never know about until someone points them out. Here is an example; iOS 16 gave us a "Safety Check" procedure. Are you aware of it? See what I mean? So here is what Safety Check is and how to use it.
Go to your Settings, Privacy & Security and scroll down until you see Safety Check. When you tap on it you have two options, "Emergency Reset" and "Manage Sharing & Access." The emergency option is, of course, for resetting all sharing in all apps. This is not a great idea unless you really want to disconnect and reset all your choices in all the apps you use. The Manage Sharing & Access is very useful to see what apps have access to what types of your personal data or are sharing with who.
There are three sections to check. The first is "Who" you are sharing data with, then "App Access", what apps are using your data, and then what "Devices" are associated with you or your Apple ID /account.
If you use a shared photo album, or have joined someone else's shared album you'll see them all list in this section and other data you share like a shared calendar. In the apps section is where I made any change in disabling particular apps access to data. Be careful when making changes to limit the function of an app that you may use without realizing.
There you go. So much power to control your own data sharing options.
You can also write your passwords down on paper to save them, and keep them in a safe place. But one problem with that method is updating them all the time often turns your list into a scribbled mess that gets more confusing with each addition.
If that's all too much work and you prefer the password manager apps then at least change your passwords often. If the service gets hacked then you have a better chance of being safe.
by Ron Sharp, MAGIC
How iPhone Helps Protect Your Privacy
iPhone Camera Manual focus
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.