October 2017 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Wait to Update iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra Over the past month Apple released iOS 11 for their mobile devices and macOS High Sierra (10.13)for the Macs. Apple has already sent out three patches for iOS 11 and one for macOS High Sierra. We think that it's prudent to wait until early November to upgrade your systems. iOS 11.1 is set to be released at the same time as the new iPhone X and a .1 update should follow on it's heels for macOS High Sierra. As a general rule, it's best to wait after a new software update is released. Companies like Apple do their best to test out all scenarios, but not until it's released out into the wild do they know all the quirks and things that need fixing. Can you update? It's still a free country, but just be mindful that you may run into some bumps in the road.

Smart TV vs. Apple TV Which is really the smartester? If you walk into any electronics store looking to purchase a new TV, the salesperson is going to push hard to get you into a new Smart TV. So, you plunk down copious amounts of cash, head home, and then try to do the smart things on the TV, only to realize the only smart anyone was the person who sold you the TV. Let's say this together: Hardware is only as good as the Software. It's the Software that makes a TV "smart," so if the software is no good, difficult to use, and buggy, then how smart is that Smart TV? Not very much. So what do you do? First, don't worry about the smart part of the TV. Purchase the TV for all the things that historically mattered like picture, sound, resolution, and size. You may then purchase an Apple TV, plug it into that TV, and the Apple TV then makes the TV smart. The benefit to an Apple TV is you get all the stability that you expect from Apple products with an intuitive interface that is easy to use. Plus, you get full iTunes integration and the ability to share content and pictures from your iPhone and iPad. You can rent movies, view Netflix, and watch all those other apps that Smart TVs have, but within Apple's strict confines which define usability and reliability. Apple TV comes in either 4K or Full HD versions. You can find out more about them here: https://www.apple.com/tv/

Upgrading the Hard Way Clean Installs for Stable Systems I love Migration Assistant. With a few clicks you can move an entire system from one Mac to another. With iOS the iCloud Backup makes restoring to a new phone a breeze. But is there a better way? When migrating old configurations you are moving all of your old "furniture" from one house to another. It's like having that unopened box from college that you've moved through four states, but have no idea what's in it. Sometimes it makes sense to clean it all out and start from scratch. But how do you do that? Keep on reading.... iOS Clean Install This is relatively easy and can be done by anyone. It's a bit of a pain as you have to sign back into all of your accounts, and download your purchased apps, but it is doable. All you need to do is to set up your iPhone or iPad as a new device -- don't restore from backup. Sign into iCloud and then the App store and start configuring. I just did this with my iPhone 8 and it took several hours on a Saturday, but it resolved many problems that have plagued the phone since I purchased it. If you do this, just be ready for the time commitment involved. macOS Clean Install This is only for advanced users. It's time consuming and tricky, but can clear up a ton of space and may make a computer run much better. It involves first backing up with Time Machine and then completely erasing the Mac (scary, yes). Then you must set up your user and password identical to the old configuration, which will allow you to copy over your data from within the Time Machine bundle. It's advisable that you do not copy over the System or User Libraries. You will also have to reinstall all of your software as it will not come over. I did this and it took me several hours over a few days to get my computer back to where I wanted it, but just like my iPhone, it cleared up several issues. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO AND HAVE A BACKUP. You have been warned.

September 2017 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

The New iPhones Which One is Right for You? The new iPhones have been announced with the evolutionary iPhone 8 & 8 Plus available on the 22nd and the revolutionary iPhone X (10) set for release on November 3rd. Finally, it's time for me to upgrade my four-year-old iPhone 5s. I made my choice, now lets see what would be right for you. It's What's Inside that Counts My mom always told me this, but I don't know if it's necessarily true, but in the case of the new iPhones it is! Both the 8 and the X have the same processor, offer wireless charging, and share all those important bits that make a phone a phone. So, on the inside they "have the same engine." It's what is on the outside that is different. The iPhone 8 & 8 Plus share the same form factor as the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus, which goes all the way back to the iPhone 6 of 2014. The iPhone X (and it's 10...) has a huge edge-to-edge screen, which makes the viewable screen area larger than that of the iPhone 8 Plus in a size (of the entire phone) just a wee bit larger than the standard 4.7-inch iPhone 8. It also shares the dual cameras of the iPhone 8 Plus and has revolutionary facial recognition tech that unlocks your phone -- no more fingerprint sensor. So, the iPhone X offers a bigger screen, cutting edge security, and the best cameras available in an iPhone. That is why there is a difference in cost. Pinnacle vs. Emerging The iPhone 8 & 8 Plus represent the pinnacle of iPhone evolution over the past ten years. The phone can trace it's roots and function back to the first iPhone. The iPhone X, on the other hand, is an emerging technology and the future of iPhone design. The iPhone 8 & 8 Plus are the choice if you want predictability and the iPhone X is for those who want the latest and greatest, and are willing to deal with any hiccups with new tech. The Upgrade Paths If you have a 7 or 7 Plus and you want a new phone, go to the iPhone X. There is not that big of a difference if you jump to an 8 or 8 Plus. If you are on a 5s or earlier, one of the eights or a X would be a huge upgrade -- the same can be said if you own one of the sixes. Which ones did we get? I opted for the iPhone 8 as for me and my activities it makes the most sense. Wendy, on the other hand, is getting an iPhone X, because she loves all the cool new tech and doesn't mind a few quirks here and there. To learn more about the iPhones click here: https://www.apple.com/iphone/

The Apple Watch Series 3 You Can Do the Full Dick Tracy! When the Apple Watch debuted just over two years ago many lamented the fact that you could not make calls from your watch unless you had your iPhone nearby. Well, with the Apple Watch Series 3 you now have the option of LTE -- yes, a cellular connection to the watch! Not only that, Siri now talks, and you can stream Apple Music right from the watch. Talk time for such a small device is only about an hour, but for going to the gym, running, hiking, or another activity where you don't want to bring your huge iPhone 8 Plus, it offers a level of freedom that we have been waiting for. To learn more about the Apple Watch 3 click here: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-3/

The Wireless Network Conundrum No New Airports Since 2012? There is a rumor that now seems to be more fact, that Apple is getting out of the wireless network business. Since they did not mention anything at the iPhone announcement this seems to be coming true, although I hope they come out with an Apple branded solution. The current generation of Apple Airports & Time Capsules is from 2012. Five years is a million in tech. So, what do you do? The good news is several solid options are coming on the market with mesh technology that lets you extend your wifi across your home right out of the box. Here are two that we have seen in the wild: Google Wifi This mesh system has gotten great reviews, it's easy to setup, and offers some neat features. The drawback is that you need to set it up with an iPhone, cannot change the IP address scheme, and you must login with your Google ID. But for a home system it can be a good choice Netgear Orbi This system works much like the Google Wifi, but Netgear has been making routers for what seems like millions of years. Setup is simple, but you have much more control over this system than with the Google Wifi, although most home users won't take advantage of all the features. It is offered in several different configurations depending on the size of your home.