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No, NameDrop in iOS 17 Isn’t a Privacy Concern. Here’s How to Use It

One of the prominent new features in iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 is NameDrop, which makes it easy to exchange contact information with someone merely by putting your iPhone or Apple Watch next to theirs. When you do that, you can share your contact card and receive theirs, or just receive theirs—nothing happens unless [...]

By |2023-12-18T14:15:57-04:00March 15th, 2024|iOS Tips|Comments Off on No, NameDrop in iOS 17 Isn’t a Privacy Concern. Here’s How to Use It

The “Hey” Part of “Hey Siri” Is Now Optional

If you use Siri, particularly on a HomePod, you’re probably accustomed to saying “Hey Siri” as the trigger phrase before your requests. In Apple’s new operating systems for 2023, you can now choose to invoke Siri using the traditional “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” (at least in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US). [...]

By |2023-12-18T13:52:06-04:00March 5th, 2024|iOS Tips, Mac Tips|Comments Off on The “Hey” Part of “Hey Siri” Is Now Optional

Feel Free to Upgrade to macOS 14 Sonoma When You’re Ready

Although we’re cautious about recommending that people upgrade to the latest major release of macOS, we think Apple has done a good enough job with macOS 14 Sonoma that anyone who wants to upgrade can do so now. That doesn’t mean you have to upgrade immediately, but there’s no major reason most people need [...]

By |2023-12-18T14:14:37-04:00March 1st, 2024|Mac Tips, News|Comments Off on Feel Free to Upgrade to macOS 14 Sonoma When You’re Ready

Erase Image Content in Preview with Copied Color Blocks

Apple’s Preview is a surprisingly capable graphics editor for making quick changes to screenshots and other illustrations, but it lacks a built-in way to delete content while leaving the background. Here’s the workaround—select a rectangle of the background color, copy it, paste it, and then move it over the undesirable content—as shown in the [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:41:21-04:00February 20th, 2024|Mac Tips|Comments Off on Erase Image Content in Preview with Copied Color Blocks

With Storms Increasing, Protect Your Tech Gear from Damaging Power Fluctuations

It has been a tough year for extreme weather events. While the connection between weather and technology may seem tenuous, heat waves, high winds, and lightning strikes can play havoc with all sorts of powered and networked electronic devices. Anything that causes power fluctuations—spikes, surges, sags, brownouts, and blackouts—can hurt your tech gear. Protecting [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:35:19-04:00February 16th, 2024|iOS Tips, Mac Tips|Comments Off on With Storms Increasing, Protect Your Tech Gear from Damaging Power Fluctuations

Frustrated by System Settings? Use the View Menu or Search

In macOS 13 Ventura, Apple replaced the creaky System Preferences with System Settings, which uses a more iOS-like interface. Many people find System Settings overwhelming, partly because they had memorized where to look in System Preferences (but System Settings has many other design flaws as well—it’s not your fault). We have two recommendations to [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:40:15-04:00February 6th, 2024|Mac Tips|Comments Off on Frustrated by System Settings? Use the View Menu or Search

What Should You Do about an Authentication Code You DIDN’T Request?

We strongly encourage using two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification (2SV) with online accounts whenever possible. The details vary slightly, but with either one, after you enter your password, you must enter an authentication code to complete the login. Although it’s always best to get such codes from an authentication app like 1Password (which [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:33:32-04:00February 2nd, 2024|iOS Tips|Comments Off on What Should You Do about an Authentication Code You DIDN’T Request?

Beware Executive Imposter Scams Aimed at New Employees

We’re hearing about new hires who receive an email or text from someone claiming to be the CEO of their new company, asking the employee to carry out some small task like sharing personal information, purchasing a gift card for a client, or wiring funds to another business. The new employee, eager to make [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:39:13-04:00January 23rd, 2024|iOS Tips, Mac Tips|Comments Off on Beware Executive Imposter Scams Aimed at New Employees

When Should You Upgrade to macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17?

September is upon us, so Apple will soon start releasing major upgrades for all its operating systems. Note that we say “start.” Apple will undoubtedly release iOS 17 and watchOS 10 alongside new iPhone and Apple Watch models in mid-September. The company hasn’t said when it will release iPadOS 17, although it’s likely to [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:26:02-04:00January 19th, 2024|iOS Tips, Mac Tips|Comments Off on When Should You Upgrade to macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17?

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Performing Unexpected Actions? Check These Settings

Keyboard shortcuts are a productivity win, but they can cause confusion if something unexpected happens when you inadvertently press some system-wide key combination. For instance, you might be taken aback if you accidentally press Control-Option-Command-8 and all the colors on your Mac screen suddenly invert. Although Apple has pages listing shortcuts and the KeyCue [...]

By |2023-09-13T16:37:58-04:00January 9th, 2024|Mac Tips|Comments Off on Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Performing Unexpected Actions? Check These Settings
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