Monthly Mini-Bytes - December 2021

 

The Unbreakable Security of Apathy It's important to note that choosing to do nothing is choosing to do something. Apathy can be a comforting and secure place to be in the raging rapids of modern technology. Being the first to jump on the latest and greatest thing may put you and your data in peril. The act of waiting and choosing to do nothing allows time for the product or service to work out the bugs and mature. So how can you weaponize apathy against the invading hordes of updates, upgrades, and the new new new? Here are three tips: Wait to Update/Upgrade: Don't be the first to download and install the iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or whateverOS updates. There are always bugs that are not flushed out in testing. Give it time. There is never a benefit to jumping on an update out of the gate with the one exception being urgent security patches to close off a vulnerability. Love the One Your With: As relevant today as it was in the 70s, appreciating your device and avoiding being mesmerized by that new shiny thing can alleviate much frustration. If your phone, computer, or tablet are working, then there is no reason to rush out for the new edition. Wait and see how it is received. It can save both money and frustration. Do you really need it? When a new version comes out of an application or service, you may be presented with aggressive 50% off offers, or free toasters, or a trip to Trenton, New Jersey, but avoid the temptation. You may not need the app or service any more, or the subscription doesn't apply to the way you are using the product (online syncing, etc.). Stop, make an assessment, and see if you can save yourself some money and storage space.

Do You Need a New Computer? If you are sitting in front of a G4 Daisy iMac while absorbing all this wisdom, then you absolutely need a new computer. That's an easy case, but for most of us the question is always there, and determining the right time to purchase a new Mac can save you money by maximizing the usable life of the machine. But how do you know it is time? You Have A SATA Drive: Serial ATA drives are the old-school record player style hard drives. They are slow, noisy, and are prone to failure. Thankfully, Apple no longer sells Macs with SATA drives, but they did up until recently. Macs with these drives are incredibly slow to the point of being unusable, especially on macOS versions Catalina and newer. To see if you have a SATA drive, go to the Apple in the upper-left and choose About this Mac. Select Storage and if it says SATA, then you have one, and if you do, you absolutely need a new Mac. Models From 2013 And Older: Macs of this age struggle with newer software. To see if yours falls into this category, go to the Apple in the upper-left and choose About this Mac. In the Overview tab it should state the era of the machine... or just check your receipt from Apple. That works, too. A Persistent Hardware Issue: If your Mac is three years or older and you are having strange hardware issues with the keyboard, monitor artifacts, or blown speakers, you may want to consider a new machine. Sometimes the cost of repair will approach the value of a new Mac, and the Apple Silica M1 family of processors are so superior that it may make sense to make the leap.

Security Corner: Find My Network

We get a lot of questions about security and privacy, which are ever moving targets. Today let's discuss Apple's Find My Network. This little feature allows your phone to be located when it is off. Great! But, it also allows your iPhone to participate in a network with other iPhones to locate devices, AirTags, and other things that are not your own. If enabled, you are basically carrying around a mobile hotspot that Apple is using to create a network with other iPhones. Do we think this is nefarious? No, but many of you may not be comfortable allowing this type of use of your phone. To see if Find My Network is enabled and to turn it off on your iPhone (if you choose) go into Settings, then select your name at the top. Choose Find My and Find My iPhone to see the Find My Network toggle.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - November 2021

 

The "How to Avoid Scams" Splainer Article (Plus Pro Max Edition) Ah, 'tis the season for all the low lifes to emerge from their evil lairs ready to wreak havoc on the Holiday Season by scamming the unsuspecting masses out of their hard earned dollars. And scams have been on the rise lately. From the phone, to text messages, instant messages, and email, the evil-doers weapons are many and varied, but so are the ways that you can protect yourself. Check the Language - Many scammers aren't proficient in English, so looking for things like mis-used words and bad punctuation is a strong giveaway that the message is a scam. I mean who starts a note with "I hope this finds you well." Seriously? Are we living in a Jane Austen novel? Check Your Credit Card Transactions - If you get a message that you had just spent $297 on whatever, check your credit card transactions, or even give your credit card company a call. They can sometimes see pending transactions before they show up online. Do Not Call the Number - Never, ever call the number in a suspected scam message. Do your due diligence first. Calling the number will let them know that they have a live target, and they now have your phone number, too. Examine the Number or Email Address - This is usually a quick give-away. The email or number may not be recognizable or sync up with what you normally suspect. Use your insticts. Beware of the Search - Search results can be spoofed. Looking up a customer service number online can lead your right into a scammer's hands. If you need to contact a particular company, go directly to their website and pull up the contact information from there. Don't call a number that comes in via a Google search. Call the Person Directly - If you get a text or email from someone that is questionable, pick up the phone and call them. Ask if they sent the email. Chances are they did not. Don't Answer Unrecognized Numbers - This goes under the "Trust No One" category. If you don't recognize the number, just let it go to voicemail. If it is important they will leave a message or send a text. If you do answer and it seems suspicious, just hang up. It's Free - No, it's not. Nothing is free. That offer for whatever is a scam. Sorry, you didn't win anything.  These are just a couple of things that you can do that will go a long way in protecting yourself from scammers.

When Should You Update An iPhone or iPad? It used to be that every single year the advancement from iPhone to iPhone had us running down to the Apple Store to wait in line for the latest and greatest. Well, those times have passed. From year to year the changes to the iPhone have been small, and the latest iPhone 13 has 12 users wondering if they should upgrade. But when is it time to upgrade an iPhone, or iPad for that matter? Poor Battery Life - If the battery won't hold a charge that is usually the time you want to upgrade the device. Hey, it comes with a new battery. Problem solved! Can't Update Software - If your devices won't run either the most current or previous version of iOS or iPadOS you will need to update so that all of your apps continue to work and everything plays nicely with iCloud. Cracked Screen - Although these can be repaired, if the device is more than a few years old, replacing rather than repairing may be a better choice. You Just Want One - No better reason in my book!

The Great Shut Down Debate

Should you shut down your computer if you will be away for a while? This has been an ongoing debate and the choice is personal. If you will be traveling for more than a few days, shutting down your computer is not a bad idea. It will consume less power and will have some protection from any nasty power surges. In fact it's the rogue power surges that are of most concern to computers and electronic devices. Of course there are those that need access to their computer while traveling for remote access, file access, etc. But for most, if you are doing that two month cruise to Antarctica, shutting down the computer and even the printer can be a good idea.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - October 2021

 

The New MacBook is So Pro! In what seemed like a year, which is good since it has been almost exactly a year since Apple announced their own line of chips, the big red ball of fruity has intruduced the immensely powerful 14 and 16 Inch MacBook Pros with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. These chipsets are game changers, and probably the biggest leap Apple has done in tech since the iPhone. Apple claims that on these new MacBook Pros you can edit multiple 8K ProRes streams at a time. What?! That may sound like gibberish to you, and it is, but that type of power wasn't even possible a couple of years ago, let alone in a portable computer. Both models have an array of ports, including HDMI and SD card slots. Just know that the M1 Max is more "Pro" than the M1 Pro, which of course makes no sense. Maybe they should have just called it the M1 Max Pro AppleTV Plus Texting & Web. It's just a thought. To learn more about the new MacBook Pros visit: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-14-and-16/

iPhone 13: Is it worth the upgrade? No. Not really. It's faster and Apple touts "more better and bestest," but it's such a mild update to the 12 that if you are on a 12, there's no compelling reason to move... except for one: Cinematic Mode. This feature is available on all flavors of the iPhone 13 and, in basic terms, "pulls focus" automatically. This means, when enabled, the iPhone will focus to what it believes to be the prominent subject in a video. It's neat, and if you are shooting a lot of video with your iPhone it is a really slick feature. If you are interested in Cinematic Mode, definitely go for the iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max to take advantage of the better camera set. Now, if you are still on an iPhone 5 or 6, yes, you need a new phone. I liked the size of my iPhone 5 and for those like me the iPhone 13 Mini will fit the bill... or the pocket. In fact if you are on an older phone and need to upgrade, only upgrade to an iPhone 13. Don't go for a 12, 11, or another. As a general rule, when it is time to upgrade, go for the latest model, which is of course the iPhone 13 (Pro, Max, Mini, etc.). To learn more about the new iPhones, visit the Pros at: https://www.apple.com/iphone-13-pro/ or the Regular and Mini at: https://www.apple.com/iphone-13/

Take the Phishing Test

Email and text phishing scams seem to be ramping up lately. There are so many that it's hard to keep track. From subscribing to the philosophy of "Trust No One" to marking almost everything as junk, it gets a little tiring, but it is necessary. To test your Phishing savvy, Google and Jigsaw came up with this neat quiz. It's a great way to test your internet street smarts. Just be sure to use a fake email address for the test. It's not necessary to use your real one. To take the quiz, visit: https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com

Monthly Mini-Bytes - August 2021

 

Two Apple Events Slated for September Apple is planning not one, but two events for September this year. From the iPhone 13, to new AirPods, and the long anticipated Apple Silica refresh of the MacBook Pros, it all shall be revealed next month. For more info and insights visit: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/20/digitmes-mulitple-apple-events-for-september/

Cox Mail Users: Time to Think About Change Cox and other internet service providers are moving to get out of the email hosting business. If you have had a Cox email address for an eternity like many of us, changing our accounts and usernames to a new iCloud, Gmail, or Outlook address can seem daunting. Well, it is. It's a lot of work, but now is the time to get started. We have also noticed a slew of Cox email accounts that have been compromised. If you have not logged into your Cox webmail account in a while, it's a good idea to do so, update your password, turn on two factor authentication, and check your settings. You can get to your Cox webmail via: https://webmail.cox.net

Clean Out Messages Automatically

Did you know that your Messages app is set to keep all messages forever? Yes, this is the default, and over the years your texts can take up a massive amount of space not only on your Mac, but also your iPhone, and iPad. You can have Messages delete any texts that are more than 30 days or over one year old automatically. On the iPhone and iPad you can go into Settings -> Messages and scroll down to Message History. Here you can choose to keep messages Forever, One Year, or 30 days. On the Mac in the Messages app select the Messages drop-down menu and Preferences. Choose the General tab and in the middle of the page will be the option to choose how long you want to retain your messages. One thing to note: If you add a new device to iCloud Messages, it will toggle back to Keep Forever. This is annoying, but really, would we expect anything different from technology? And to keep that technology happy, it's best to make sure that whatever retention frequency you choose, you do the same across all of your devices.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - July 2021

 

When is an Intel Mac a Better Choice? Oh... what? Yes, let's let the internet melt down for a minute. Why would anyone purchase and Intel Mac over the more powerful and definitely more future-proof M1? What could possibly motivate an individual, or group of individuals to collectively choose to invest in older technology? Well, the answer is simple. It's Windows. Yes... Windows. For better or worse (mainly worse) there is software out there that has only been written for Windows PCs, but fortunately Macs can run Windows software without breaking a sweat using an emulator like Parallels or Apple's Boot Camp. Both macOS and Windows 10 run natively on Intel i-Series Processors. The M1 is all new, and even though there is a beta version of Windows 10 that can run on the new ARM processors, it's the tip of the spear here, meaning stability is in question. So, for those who need the capability of running Windows software, an Intel Mac can be an excellent choice. But to future-proof it so it can compete later on with the M1s, go for at least an i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM. Extra credit is offered for i9s with 32 GB of RAM to keep up with the M1s integrated RAM and video processor. In closing, and as of right now, at this moment and second (July 2021), if you are 100% Mac, the M1 is the only way to go. If you still run Windows only software, opt for a well equipped Intel Mac so that everything stays nice and stable.

Multiple Monitors with DisplayLink? Yes, Please! If you have an M1 Mac or an older Mac and you want to experience the joy of a massive row of displays to intimidate friends and family, you can! It's true Apple limits the number of displays, how they are connected, and don't seem to know what adapters may or may not be needed, but worry no more! With a DisplayLink enabled device you can connect extra displays. There are limitations as DisplayLink technology uses your main processor and a driver rather than the native video card, so gaming and certain video content may not come out as well, but for general use it is a perfect solution. To find out more about DisplayLink and the different docks, cables, and adapters that are needed visit: https://www.displaylink.com

Internet Browser: Beware of Extensions

Internet browser extensions seem like a good idea. They allow you to run little bits of software to clip coupons, remember your passwords, block ads, or even flag questionable content. But that same capability can be turned the other way and voila!, you have spyware. Generally we don't recommend any extensions, but if you use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass, you will need one. To see if you have any extensions in Safari go to the Safari drop-down menu and choose Preferences. You will see an Extensions heading. Choose that to see what Extensions you may be running. If they are checked they are active. In the right-hand window each one will have an uninstall option. For other browsers: In Chrome choose Extensions from the Window drop-down menu.You can also access it from the Preferences menu as in Safari. In Firefox you would choose Preferences from the Firefox drop-down menu. Then select Extensions & Themes to access the list.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - May 2021

 

Amazon Sidewalk and Privacy As we put more and more things on our home networks they become more vulnerable to compromise. From cameras, to smart speakers, thermostats, microwaves, to electric cars, the number of devices seems to be increasing every year, and they all need internet access. That means your home network has a myriad of devices, all of which have different privacy settings, and different organizations managing their security. And most are controlled by apps that communicate with a resource outside of your home network to talk with a device that is on your home network. Yes, it's a complicated mess, and what makes it worse are companies that share your network credentials with others. It is happening. Enter Amazon Sidewalk: This feature set to go live on June 8th covers all Amazon connected devices, which include Ring Doorbells & Cameras, Echo Smart Speakers, and others. It effectively allows other devices access to your network. Yes, you read that correctly. Sidewalk "shares" your network credentials so that other devices may use your internet connection. And yes, Amazon speaks at length about encryption, and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day they are sharing your internet connection with devices that aren't yours that you haven't authorized to be either on your network or using your internet connection and bandwidth. What's worse is that this feature is enabled by default, meaning that you need to turn it off if you want to opt out. Here are links on how to disable this feature: Ring: https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360032524592-Opting-In-and-Out-of-Sidewalk Echo: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZ4VSNFMBDHLRJUK Sorry to say, but security isn't just about managing passwords anymore. Your home network has now become the front line in the war against privacy. If you have a piece of tape on your computer's camera, then you should be concerned enough about privacy and security to seriously look at what devices you allow to be installed on your network. It is not an easy task these days. From pool pumps, to water heaters, sprinklers, lighting, and security systems, they are all connected. The only thing I ask is that you don't read this article out loud -- your smart speaker is listening.

Cox Email: Check Your Webmail Settings We have seen a number of compromised Cox email accounts over the past few months. Scammers have been getting access to Cox emails and forwarding to external accounts. It's a good idea to go in and check these settings. Go to https://webmail.cox.net/ Log into your Cox Mail with your Username and Password Click the Cog/Gear in the Upper Right Select Settings In the left-hand column, click the arrow next to Inbox to expand the options Select Auto-Forward. Verify if it is correct if you are forwarding your mail. Select Filter Rules on the left. If you are not forwarding mail, this is generally empty. Also, if you haven't changed your Cox password in years, if it is simple or easy to remember, then you may want to change it.

Updates & Rumors About the M2 MacBook Pros

The new M1 chip is great. The only problem is that many power users are longing for the next generation to speed up the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro. There are strong indications that this more powerful "pro" level chip will be released in the third quarter. To read the latest rumors visit: https://fossbytes.com/m2-macbook-pro-features-design-release-date/

Monthly Mini-Bytes - April 2021

 

The M1 iMac is Here! Starburst. I never understood the appeal. If I want candy, it better be candy and not pantomime fruit flavors. It's the same thing with Skittles. I'll pass, but along comes the new M1 iMacs in all their colors it's good to know that they still have the classic silver. Love or hate the new design, the iMac finally has the new M1 chip inside and with a 24-Inch screen, it's bigger, too. And bigger is better and that should be enough. Right? Well, not so fast. If you need an iMac then this is the one to get, but it does not contain the high power M1X chip that we expected. That one probably won't be available until the fall at which time it should show up in the Mac Pro and 16-Inch MacBook Pro, too. The new 24-Inch iMac is significantly faster than the current Intel offerings, which we don't recommend, and the M1 iMac will serve most users very well. It is just as speedy as the M1 Mac MIni, Air, and 13-Inch Mac BookPro, but with more ports if you opt for the better models. And if you consider the cost of a quality 4K display, it is a great deal. So if you need an iMac, this is the one to get. We'd recommend starting with the $1499 model, as it has double the ports and ethernet. For more info on the new iMac, click here: https://www.apple.com/imac-24/

Lost Something? AirTags Have Your Back With the iPhone 11, Apple introduced the U1 chip. This chip allows for the precise location of devices. The AirTags take advantage of this new chip and can be attached to luggage, keys, devices, or just about anything. You can then use the Find My app to locate those items when they are misplaced. To learn more about AirTags, visit: https://www.apple.com/airtag/

The New iPad Pro is Powered by the M1 Chip

Wow! Apple went and did it. They put their desktop class M1 chip into the new iPad Pros. This is huge! That makes the new iPad Pros, by far, the most powerful tablets on the planet. The question is if you need all that power. Currently most iPad apps cannot take full advantage of the current generation, and these new ones are such a leap forward that it begs the question of what type of apps will the new Pros be able to run? For more info on the new iPad Pro, visit: https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/

Monthly Mini-Bytes - March 2021

 

Where are the M1 iMacs and Others? Before we start, know that there was no Mini-Bytes for February. You didn't miss out. We didn't publish last month. Anyway, where are the new M1X equipped Macs? No one knows, and Tim Cook stopped returning my calls and texts after that poker game back in October. And just like the rest of the world I am out in the cold when it comes to knowing when the new Macs will drop. The delay is a big problem. Currently the low end M1 equipped Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and 13-Inch MacBook Pro smoke the more expensive Intel-based machines. It is a colossal waste of money to purchase an Intel Mac at this time, which means if you are an aficionado of a big screen iMac you are out of luck. The good news is that Apple has more leaks than a screen door in a boat without Flex Seal, so we can get a good look at the new iMacs that will come with the anticipated M1X. This is the same chip that will show up in the 16-Inch MacBook Pro and a refreshed MacPro. To learn more about the new designs, visit: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-15/apple-plans-redesigned-imac-new-mac-pro-smaller-mac-pro-cheaper-monitor

What Type of Backup Drive for Time Machine? Computers consume a lot of power, and power doesn't grow on trees. Okay, carbs grow on trees (apples, pears, etc.), which you can eat for energy so I guess my analogy is lacking, but your computer -- a computer uses a healthy amount of electricity. Apple employs advanced power management to help save energy, the environment, and your power bill. Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc on certain external drives. Those small little USB drives that are bus-powered (no power cord) are convenient and easy to store, but when used for Time Machine we have seen them get corrupted. Lately we have been suggesting desktop-class hard drives with a dedicated power supply. These are larger units that you plug into the wall. Since they have their own power supply they are free of the computer's power management, and, in our opinion, a better choice for Time Machine Backup with current systems on newer Macs.

Long Live the HomePod! ...or not

Yes, Virginia, Apple is putting the original $350 HomePod out to pasture. It was too expensive and fell to the more affordable smart speakers on the market. But the sound they produced was just amazing, and with the price drop to $299 it is a compelling argument for a smart speaker if sound is your number one qualification. To learn more about the HomePod, visit: https://www.apple.com/homepod/

Monthly Mini-Bytes - January 2021

 

How to Automatically Update Your iPhone & iPad iOS and iPadOS updates seem to be coming out often these days, and setting your iPhone or iPad up to automatically accept these updates is easy as one, two, three! On either device go to Settings -> General -> Software Updates. Select "Automatic Updates." Here you will see two options. "Download iOS Updates" will download any new updates to your device while on Wi-Fi. "Install iOS Updates" will run those updates overnight when you are charging and on Wi-Fi. Turn them both on to take advantage of automatic updates.

Apple Service Programs - Get Your Stuff Fixed! If you have a problem with any Apple product, it's a good idea to check and see if Apple has a formal Service Program for it. These programs offer fixes for everything from AirPods to Macs. To see the current list of Apple Service Programs visit: https://support.apple.com/service-programs

New Apple M1 Macs and Ultra-Wide Monitors

We have a bug! Brand new Macs running the M1 chip seem to have problems with appropriate resolutions for ultra-wide monitors. The good news is that a fix will be coming out in macOS Big Sur 11.2. For now this problem only affects those crazy super wide monitors. For more info, visit: https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/12/24/apple-confirms-fix-for-ultrawide-monitors-with-m1-apple-silicon-macs-is-coming