by Terry McAdams | Sep 28, 2023 | How-To, passwords, Security
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...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 27, 2023 | Messages, Security, Tip
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...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 21, 2023 | keyboard shortcut, Mac, Tip, troubleshooting
Keyboard shortcuts are a productivity win, but they can cause confusion if something unexpected happens when you accidentally press some system-wide key combination. For instance, you might be taken aback if you accidentally press Control-Option-Command-8 and all the...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 19, 2023 | Mac, productivity, Tip
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...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 15, 2023 | iPad, iPhone, Mac
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...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 13, 2023 | Apple Watch, iPhone, News
September is here, and with it, Apple’s latest iPhones and Apple Watches. At its Wonderlust event on September 12, Apple threw back the curtains on the new iPhone 15 lineup, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. These devices all provide incremental...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 13, 2023 | Mac, productivity, Tip
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,...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 1, 2023 | Upgrade
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...
by Terry McAdams | Sep 1, 2023 | AirPods, Apple Watch, Backup, Finder, How-To, iCloud, iPhone, iTunes
Are you among the millions of people planning to get a new iPhone 15? It’s exciting, we know, but don’t move too fast when getting started with your new iPhone, or you might cause yourself headaches. Instead, follow these instructions when you’re ready to transfer...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 24, 2023 | How-To, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Photos
We’ve recently heard from people who have been embarrassed when they gave their iPhone to someone to swipe through some innocuous photos of a vacation, only to have the person swipe too far and end up at some NSFW (not safe for work) images. Ouch. Embarrassment might...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 22, 2023 | Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Tip
It’s difficult for even those who work with Apple devices daily to remember all the details of every device. What processors were available with the 2020 iMac? What resolutions did the Apple Thunderbolt Display support? What are the differences between the fifth and...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 17, 2023 | Finder, Firefox, How-To, Mac, Safari
All too often, Mac users put off installing updates because of the bother of having to set everything up again afterward. We get it—you’re busy, and it can take time to relaunch apps, reopen documents, and repopulate Web browser tabs. There’s no avoiding some downtime...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 10, 2023 | How-To, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Security
Most people fall into one of two extremes when it comes to device security. Many believe they’re not interesting enough to be targeted by online attackers and thus don’t take sensible precautions, like making sure every website account is protected with a strong,...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 10, 2023 | iPad, iPhone, Tip
Loud sounds are harmful to everyone, and many parents worry that their children are at risk for hearing loss due to too-loud headphone audio from iPhones and iPads. To lower the likelihood of this happening, Apple provides a Reduce Loud Sounds option in Settings >...
by Terry McAdams | Aug 8, 2023 | Desktop, Finder, Mac, Tip, troubleshooting
When we help someone with their Mac for the first time, we often notice that their desktop is a disaster. Icons are scattered willy-nilly and often piled on top of one another, making it hard to locate anything. For most people, the solution is easy—sort the contents...
