December 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

The 16-Inch MacBook Pro: Why it's the Best Value Last month Apple announced it's much improved 16-inch MacBook Pro. It is a major improvement over the previous generation 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pros. The keyboard has been fixed and the problematic butterfly design replaced by a scissor-style mechanism that has many of us sighing in relief. The butterfly keyboard of the old MacBooks (13 Pro. 15 Pro, and Air) has been a controversial design with problems of sticky keys and an unusual feel. In fact, Apple has an open Keyboard Service Program for these laptops, meaning you can purchase a new 13-inch MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air with a soft recall right out of the box. You can learn more about this program here: https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks That's not fun, but Apple is set to refresh the 13-inch MacBook Pro in such a way as the 16-inch version, bumping it up to 14 inches and blessing it with the new and improved keyboard. This means that if you want a smaller form factor, it may be prudent to wait until the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro is announced. We would. The second thing that makes the 16-inch MacBook Pro so good is the fact that Apple has enough real estate in the new laptop to provide adequate cooling so the processors can run at their proper output, without being throttled. This is a big deal as if you purchase an 8-Core i9 processor, you want it to run like an 8-Core i9 processor. The last thing is cost. Yes, talking about a $2,400 computer as a "good deal" is a first world issue, but hear me out. The entry 16-Inch MacBook Pro at $2,400 can be less expensive than a 13-inch that has been "beefed-up." And at that price you get a 6-Core processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB Solid State Drive, and a real AMD Radeon Pro video card. So what are we saying? If you need a new MacBook Pro right now, consider the 16-inch model. If it's just too big, then wait if you can for the refreshed 14-inch that will be hot on its heels. As for the Air, it will probably get its day with the new keyboard hopefully just as soon.

The AirPod Apocalypse This Holiday Season it's going to be easier to get an officially licensed Baby Yoda plushie than Apple's AirPods, apparently. According to multiple news outlets Apple has sold out of AirPods at it's retail stores, but if you do an internet search other outlets may have them available. Yet, whether they ship over the next week it is hard to say. Still, if you are looking at picking up the regular AirPods or AirPods Pro, you may want to get shopping! For more info, check out this CNBC article: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/17/apples-airpods-pro-are-sold-out-online-ahead-of-the-holidays.html

Secure Your Mac Before Your Next Party This time of year it's so great to have friends and family come by your home to celebrate the season. But celebrating doesn't mean opening up your Mac to nosy neighbors, know-it-all relatives, or grandkids that will load up the computer with more malware than a library PC. Make sure before your next party or get-together that you take a couple of steps to make sure your Mac is all cozied up and secure: Log Out or Shut Down - Logging out of your account by going up to the Apple in the upper left and choosing "Log Out..." is a good way to lock down your Mac. In order to get back in you'll have to enter your computer password, but that's what's keeping it safe. Shutting it down works, too. It's your choice. iMac or Mini - Hide the Keyboard and Mouse. This is an easy one. With no input there will be no access. MacBook Pro, Air, or just MacBook - Lock your computer in a drawer or put is somewhere secure.

November 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

macOS 10.15 Catalina and You macOS Catalina has been patched a few times, but we are still recommending holding off. Catalina is a major change to the Mac operating system as it is now focused on 64-bit programs, meaning your older apps will no longer work. If you have been seeing those "your app needs to be optimized" messages, then those are the ones that will not function in the new system. Take close inventory of your software before upgrading. We have been on Catalina for a while now, and there is a lot to like about the new system, especially under the hood. The ".1" release fixed a lot of issues, but if you haven't upgraded yet, then waiting for the next ".2" patch may be the way to go. To learn all about the new features of macOS Catalina visit: https://www.apple.com/macos/catalina/

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is here! 16 is the new 15! Apple released an all new 16-inch MacBook Pro with an improved keyboard and cooling capability, all in a package that is about the size of the old 15-inch model. The design foreshadows the upcoming refresh of the 13-inch MacBook Pros to, you guessed it, 14 inches. To learn more about the new MacBook Pro, visit: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-16/

New AirPods Pro The big news about the AirPods Pro is noise cancelling! If you liked your old AirPods, the new model also has a new fit that is supposedly much more secure. To learn more, visit: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MWP22/airpods-pro

October 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

macOS 10.15 Catalina - Should you update? macOS Catalina has been released so should you upgrade? No. Not right now. We'd recommend waiting. This is a major release of the Mac operating system and is compatible with machines from 2012 forward. But, it is a new release and our normal recommendation is to wait a few weeks until upgrading. Once a new system is out in the wild issues will crop up and waiting gives Apple time to patch up any bugs that appear. Also, Catalina does not support many older applications. If you have been getting by with an ancient version of Office or Creative Suite, it is almost assured that they will not work in the new system. Be very careful about your critical applications and their compatibility with macOS Catalina. You don't want to be stuck outputting hundreds or thousands of dollars on unplanned upgrades. The good news is that our initial impressions of Catalina are excellent. From what we have seen, there is a noticeable speed improvement over Mojave. But our advice to wait and check your applications still stands. It's better to be stable and working than cutting edge. To learn all about the new features of macOS Catalina visit: https://www.apple.com/macos/catalina/

Your iPhone Decision Matrix The new iPhones are out, so the big question is which one to get? First off, as we have always suggested when purchasing a mobile device get the latest-and-greatest... period. With that being said Apple has introduced three versions of its flagship iPhone 11. To make this easy, if you want the biggest screen, then the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the way to go. It is the biggest. But for most the smaller screen sizes work fine, which means it's a choice between the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro. The good news is that it comes down to photography. If you are really in to photography then the three camera system on the iPhone 11 Pro with its software enhancements make it the iPhone for photographers and videographers. For the rest of us, the iPhone 11 is a great deal. It has the same processor and internal bits of the Pros, but comes in at a much more palatable price. So in summary: Need the biggest screen: iPhone 11 Pro Max Heavy in to photography and videos: iPhone 11 Pro Just need a really good phone: iPhone 11 To learn more about the iPhone line click here: https://www.apple.com/iphone/

Slow Mac with Old Hard Drive? If you have a Mac from 2015 or newer that has the old style SATA hard drive, you know how much they have slowed down in recent years. The only way to fix the issue is to get a new machine with a solid state drive, but there is an unsupported yet workable option that we have seen used out in the field. Macs give you the ability to run the system from external hard drives. This is not the best option, but it is possible to purchase an external solid state drive, migrate to it, and then run the Mac from it. Does it work? Sure. Is it the best idea in the world? Not really. It's a bit like towing a new engine behind your car and using that to drive. Hmmm.... bad analogy, but that's all I have. The thing is that in order to take advantage of the speed and efficiencies of new systems like macOS Catalina, you need the hardware to be able to handle them. A solid state drive is critical to this.

August 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Check Your Apple Subscriptions If you are wondering why you have a recurring charge from Apple for Ninja Barbie, then you may want to check your subscriptions. Apple makes it so easy to subscribe to all types of things, but many of us forget and it's helpful to know where to go to unsubscribe and save your pennies. To see the step-by-step instructions visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039

Summer Brings Baked Apples Winter is coming, but not yet. It's still hot outside and your Apple products don't like the heat anymore than the rest of us. There are operating and non-operating standards for how much temperature your Mac or device can handle. Did you know that on a hot day in Phoenix, using the iPhone outside can exceed its specifications? You bet. To learn about the limits, check out these links to Apple: Macs: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201640 iPhones, iPads, etc.: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201678 Apple Watch: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204508

Apple: The more you spend the more you save? Yes. Money money money. Gather up the Benjamins and let's head to the Apple Store! Yeah, it may seem like that when getting ready to purchase a new Apple product. My last iPhone cost me close to $1500, which is a bit insane. Granted, it's a great phone -- a lot more than just a phone, incredibly reliable, and probably the best mostest fastest iPhone ever (plus), but that still is a lot of money. The time has come for many to update Macs, iPads, and iPhones. With macOS Catalina coming out next month, older Macs will feel slow, or not run the system altogether. The updates for the mobile devices will be the same story. So we thought it be best to give our points on how to get the "Best Bang for Your Buck" when purchasing from Apple. It's not an inverted yield curve, but the first thing to keep in mind is the more expensive Apple models tend to be a better value -- this is the "more you spend the more you save" but not really kinda point. Entry level Macs are built to a price and can even be just as slow as your older eight year old machine. Investing in more RAM and a Solid State Drive costs a lot more, but will give the computer longevity. Higher end processors (i9 vs basic i3) will be able to stretch their legs for years to come and make the machine more usable throughout its lifetime. For iPads and iPhones, the same is true. We always recommend purchasing the latest model that has the most up to date processor. Thankfully, Apple has models like the iPhone XR, which has all the same internals as the higher end phones, but at a more palatable price. Let's hope they keep doing things like this. And to go into the iPads: We normally suggest the iPad Pros due to their power, which of course helps with their longevity. Users tend to keep iPads for many years, so you want to get the top end so the device will stay viable. One well-purchased iPad Pro could keep you from buying two lesser models in the same lifecycle. I'm just sayin'... What about refurbished models, you ask? Run for the hills. Apple products hold their value. The amount you would save on a refurbished device may seem like a good deal, but at the end of the day you have just shelled out your hard earned-cash for the potential of owning someone else's problems. And you don't want that.

July 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Do you need a Cloud Backup for your Mac? Every Mac should have a Time Machine Backup. It is the first line of defense against crashes and lost data. You can restore your Mac right back to where it was from the Time Machine Backup or even setup a new Mac with it, too. It is one of the best pieces of insurance that you can have. But, you may also be a candidate for a cloud backup. This is not iCloud. iCloud does not back up your Mac. It does, although, back up your iPhones and iPads if you enable this feature, and you should. The Mac has too much data on it, which is why Time Machine is the backup software created for the computer. It is a local backup, meaning it is local to your computer -- it's in the same space. The problem arises that if something happens to the Mac like it is stolen, it is likely that the "local" nearby backup would also be swiped, too. Having an offsite or cloud backup is a way to safely store your data away from your Mac. If you answer "Yes" to any of the below, then you probably would appreciate having a cloud backup: Do you use your Mac for business? Do you have critical information on your Mac that you don't ever want to lose? Are you a video editor or professional photographer? Do you own a server? If you are in the market for a cloud backup there are several options out there. Just make sure that the cloud backup service was designed for Mac computers and not ported over from a Windows solution. Windows machines have a totally different file structure than Macs and having the wrong solution could jumble your data, and make restores incredibly difficult if not impossible in some cases. We have used CrashPlan for Small Business before, but this is exclusive to small business and you need to have a strong technology aptitude to use their service. We have had experience with BackBlaze and have heard good things about iDrive. But whatever you choose, remember that once everything is set up, you still need to monitor the process to ensure that the backups are being completed. The good news is that most services will send you alerts if there is a problem with your backup.

Apple TV Device vs. Apple TV App Oh boy.... here goes. The Apple TV is not only a device, it is now an app. But an Apple TV is not necessarily the Apple TV. And you may purchase a new TV that has the Apple TV built in, but it is not the Apple TV device, but just the Apple TV App. So, it's really not the full Apple experience, just a tiny taste wrapped in another company's interface and well... Confused? It's understandable. The Apple TV (4K & HD) is a streaming media device that you can attach to any TV that will give you access to services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others. It also runs the Apple TV App, which consolidates all of your viewing into one place... except it doesn't work with Netflix or some other streaming services. Regardless, the Apple TV device will give you the full Apple integrated experience, so we recommend the Apple TV (device) over any other streaming media player. The Apple TV App will be available on a bunch of different third-party devices and TVs as Apple wishes to push its new Apple TV + (plus) streaming service. That means there will be three Apple TVs? We hope that clears everything up. There will be a test later. If you take anything away from this is to remember that if you want the Apple integration, go for the Apple TV device, and don't worry about them naming everything Apple TV. Actually, I think the new iPhone will be called Apple TV Phone Max X or something... [sigh] To learn more about the many Apple TVs: Apple TV (device):https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/ Apple TV (app): https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-app/ Apple TV+ (streaming service): https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-plus/

Neato! Unlock Your Mac with the Apple Watch If you have an Apple Watch using watchOS 3 (or better) and a Mid-2013 or newer Mac using macOS Sierra or later you can actually use your watch to unlock your Mac! It takes some setup, but if you go to the Apple help article linked below, it will give you all the instructions that you need to get started. How to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206995

June 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Avoid the Adobe Flash Update Spoof If you have been unfortunate enough to have malware on your Mac, then you most likely installed it through a fake Adobe Flash Updater. This spoof is the number one way that Macs can get compromised. The type of malware varies greatly, but the danger is the same, so it's important to know how to avoid it. First, go to System Preferences -> Adobe Flash and choose the Updates tab. It defaults to the choice to let Adobe install updates. You can also check for updates here or move to a manual mode. Either way this is the place where you either want to check for updates or install an update. So, do you need Flash at all? Well, it depends. I do not have Adobe Flash installed on my Mac and I have no problem accessing content from websites. But depending on which ones you frequent, you may need to have it on your machine.

Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Apple is recalling certain 15-inch MacBook Pros that were sold between September 2015 and February 2017. The model is the mid-2015 MacBook Pro to be specific. The issue is with the battery, which supposedly can overheat and cause a fire risk. To see if your MacBook Pro is part of the recall go to Apple's site and enter in your serial number: https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall

Apple's Butterfly Keyboard Service Program The Butterfly Keyboard first introduced by Apple back in 2015 in the MacBook is a revolutionary design. But as with all innovations there are bumps in the road. If you have a MacBook, MacBook Air, or a MacBook Pro from 2015 or later and are experiencing sticky keys, repeating characters, or no response at all, then Apple has a service process to get it looked at and resolved. Here is the link for more information: https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks/

May 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

The Mandatory Flexibility Requirement Let's face facts: Technology does not do what we want it to do all the time. It does what it's programmed to do. Tech cannot think on its feet, respond to your needs, and has zero emotional intelligence. It just does what it is created to do in the way it was created to do it. This is a problem for the rest of us as often time we need it to be something else -- do something in a different way, and that's where we get to the whole conversation about flexibility. In order to be a successful user of tech, you must be flexible. This is not something any of us can avoid. Flexibility is the key to effectively wielding technology so that you can be successful. Here are three tips to get you there Begin with the End in Mind You have to start any task with your ultimate goal. The goal and final output is the key. You may want to create a newsletter, or draft an email, or create a photo book. Once you have your goal it is important to adapt to the tools that you are using to get there. The workflow may not be what you want. You may have two clicks instead of three. You may only be able to work on three photos at a time instead of two. Well, get over it. Think about the goal and not focus on the miniutia on the way to the final accomplishment. It wil go a lot faster and smoother. Trust me. Accept that there are No Quick Fixes Since the tech is going to work the way it was programmed, and not necessarily how you want it to, you may need to try different software, change up the way you work, or even employ a workaround. It may take more time than you expected, but if you try to fight against a faceless enemy (the tech) you are only going to delay your progress to your ultimate goal. (See: Begin with the End in Mind) Know When to Ask for Help No one is an island when it comes to technology. We all run into problems where a second set of eyes helps tremendously. If you get stuck it's okay to check the internet, or ask a friend or colleague for assistance. Again, fighting the software will only take up more of your precious time.

Vacation? Your Inkjet Printer will Miss You! Memorial Day weekend is upon us and with it the official kick-off of summer! Whether it means going up North, or a three month stint in California, or, like my Uncle Terry, a long weekend in Ocean City where we lost track of him for 30 years only to find that he now lives in Sri Lanka and works as a coffee merchant. But you don't want to hear about that story. Let's talk about how your vacation will devastate your inkjet printer. Inkjet printers are cheap and effective ways to deplete the Earth's forests with hard copy emails, pictures, and boarding passes. But they have a flaw -- all inkjets will clog if not used regularly. An extended vacation may spell the end of your beloved printer. Here are three ways to keep it alive and ready for your return home: Get Someone to Print on It Each Week If you have someone watching your house, have them print something up at least once a week. Print Before You Leave Run a couple of print jobs before you take off for Antarctica. Clean Upon Return When you get back, try printing. If it all looks good pat yourself on the back. If not, clean the heads. It may take several cleanings to get it working, but if it doesn't, then it's time for a new printer. And one final tip: If you go away a lot, consider investing in a laser printer. They do not clog and tend to last much longer.

Apple's 2019 World Wide Developer Conference WWDC 2019 is right around the corner and it looks like Apple will finally come out with an all new Mac Pro. Other things to expect are the usual iOS and macOS announcements. To learn more, visit Mac Rumors: https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/wwdc/

April 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Beware of the Profiles We talk of Adware and Malware a lot, and the last invasion that has shown up is the use of rogue Profiles on your Mac or iPhone/iPad. Profiles are a legitimate way that IT departments can deploy certain system, network, and device configurations to your Mac or iPhone/iPad. The problem is that scammers can also deploy a rogue Profile that can do all types of bad things, from slowing down your computer, to stealing your information. Unless you were given a Profile by your IT department at work or school, you probably don't need one. If one is showing up, it's often a bad thing. To check for Profiles on your iPad or iPhone, go to Settings -> General. If you have a Profile installed you will see an option for Profiles & Device Management. On your Mac, go to System Preferences. If you have or had a Profile installed at one point, you will see a Profile preference.. Remember that schools and businesses will deploy Profiles for device management, but if it is your personal device, then its presence is suspect.

Refreshed AirPods Apple's AirPods have been refreshed, but these are not the fabled "AirPods 2" that the world has been waiting for. The update is mild. They are faster when connecting, have voice enabled Siri, and wireless charging. The good news is that the wireless charging case is available for the original AirPods, too. Should you upgrade? If you have a set of AirPods, there is no need to run out and get the new ones. If you like the wireless charging, you can purchase the case for $79. To find out more, click: https://www.apple.com/airpods/

How to Forced Restart Your FaceID Equipped iPhone If your iPhone 8, X, XS, XS Max, or XR is acting up, there are a few things that you can do to get it working again.The easiest is the Forced Restart. This can resolve many issues from connectivity, to not being able to make calls, and unstick a locked phone. Here is what to do: Press and release the Volume Up Button Press and release the Volume Down Button Press and HOLD the Power/Lock button Keep it held until you see the Apple You are done! For more info and how to do a Force Restart on other models, click here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201412

March 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

New Apples Apple has been busy this week announcing a bunch of new refreshed products. These are more incremental updates and tweaks to existing products rather than totally new offerings. AirPods 2 The AirPods have been updated with a new chip and wireless charging. https://www.apple.com/airpods/ iPad Air 10.5 Inch The iPad Air is back, and you can think of it a lot like the old 10.5 Inch iPad Pro. It can take advantage of the Apple Keyboard Case and the 1st Gen Apple Pencil. https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/ iPad Mini It looks the same, but they updated things under the hood. If you are a fan of the Mini it is back with a better processor. https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/ iMacs All the iMacs have updated processors and internals. https://www.apple.com/imac/

Spring Cleaning Time It's spring and what a better time to clean up your computer! Storage space is precious, so why have it taken up with things that you just don't need? Here are three tips to get you started: Empty the Trash - It's simple, but how often do you do it? You'd be surprised on how big it can get. Clean out your Downloads folder - Downloads can be a dumping ground for all types of old installers, documents, and photos. Go through it and move items that you want to keep and delete stuff that you don't. Purge Old, Unwanted Photos - How many close ups of your left thumb do you really want to keep? Open Photos and find stuff that you just don't want. Photos take a up a lot of space, and there is no use keeping ones that are garbage. Trash 'em!

Make Your Smart TV Smarter with Apple TV Let's speak truth to power: Smart TV software leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly it's there to sell TVs, but if you have spent hours trying to log into Netflix, join your network, or otherwise do anything but watch TV, then how smart are they? Hmmm.... If you are reading this, you are already invested in the Apple Ecosystem, and these days tech is all about the ecosystem. The Apple TV is an appliance that you attach to your TV that allows you to stream from sites like Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, among others. Because it's from Apple it syncs all your purchases across your devices, and even allows you to share your photos right up on your TV! Wendy and I use our Apple TV almost exclusively to access content, and as a TV and movie junkie since I was teething, it has never disappointed. To learn more about the Apple TV visit: https://www.apple.com/tv/