FYI, here is a notice of an Apple event on October 13th.
Jim Hamm
At long last, Apple has sent out invitations Tuesday to a “special Apple event from Apple Park” on October 13, when the long-awaited iPhone 12 is almost certain to make an appearance along with a few other surprises. Like all of Apple’s 2020 events, the event will be virtual and streamed to everyone via Apple's YouTube channel, Apple TV, and Apple's Events website at 10 a.m. Pacific.
It is rumored that perhaps soon Apple will announce the iPhone 12 with 5G cellular capability. What does that mean, you might ask? Here is an article discussing 5G, its capabilities and limitations. Although 5G will be faster than the 4G wireless transmission most of us are probably using now, I, personally, don't care so much for 5G. More cell towers will be needed, closer to one's home, and the 5G signal is easily blocked. But, I suspect it is coming whether I like it or not.
Jim Hamm
Here's an article describing how Apple has set aside $500 million (wow!) to settle a class-action lawsuit on diminished performance on the iPhone 6, 7, and SE. If you owned one of these iPhones you can get $25 from Apple. Is it worth the effort? Read the article, and see what you think.
Jim Hamm
Although it is presently only available for Apple employees, Apple has designed a face mask for their employees to wear.
Apple engineers designed a custom face mask for employees — take a look
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/28/apple-engineers-designed-protective-face-mask-for-employees.html
It appears to be quite effective. Apple is trying to help in these trying times, and here's a quote from the article:
"Apple has announced other Covid-19 prevention measures recently. For example, the latest software update for the Apple Watch includes a handwashing feature that automatically detects when the wearer is washing their hands, and starts a 20-second timer. And the new Apple Watch Series 6 announced on Sept. 18 includes a blood oxygen monitor."
My wife, Zee, has an Apple watch, and she found the timer on the hand washing feature to be quite handy.
Jim Hamm
If you're not tired of messing with the new features of iOS 14, here is a YouTube Video by MacMost on 25 new things to try with this new OS update. Lots of 'stuff' to learn. One thing Apple took away in a prior iOS update was the battery % always showing on the screen. I missed that feature. One could find the % charge by placing a finger in the upper right corner of the screen and swiping diagonally to the left. Messy and awkward, I thought, and didn't like that at all. Now I can just double-tap the back of my iPhone and the battery charge % is displayed. Nice. One can also install a widget to the home screen to show the battery charge %.
Jim Hamm
If you've updated to iOS 14, there's a bunch of new settings you might want to take a look at. The following video shows 17 settings you might consider. Whew! You'll either be quite pleased or dismayed at all the settings. Your iPhone or iPad is becoming quite a complex device, as you'll see if you watch the video. Well, OK, maybe it has been complex for some time, but it is not backing off.
I found the tips to be quite helpful, and maybe you will too.
Jim Hamm
If you use DuckDuckGo as your search engine, this article may be of interest.
Frank Croft
https://spreadprivacy.com/how-anonymous-is-duckduckgo/?s=1
If you're on Instagram or use TikTok on an iOS or Android device, here's an article you might want to read.
Jim Hamm
If you've updated to iOS 14 on your iPhone and would like to set Gmail as the default email client, the following article from Dave Taylor explains how. I just did that on my iPhone X and had to go first to the app store and update my Gmail app. Once updated, the change is then easy to do.
Jim Hamm
https://www.askdavetaylor.com/change-default-email-program-to-gmail-on-my-ios14-iphone/
iOS14 was released last week, and I am finding it quite stable. I guess a lot of other users feel the same given this HUGE adoption rate!!
Frank Croft
https://www.imore.com/apples-ios-14-already-26-adoption-less-week-after-launch
If you've updated your iPhone or iPad to iOS 14, this article contains ten tips that might be of interest. Note that in Tip 5 you can change the browser of choice to something other than Safari, should you want to do so. Note, however, once the device resets the browser of choice will revert back to Safari.
Jim Hamm
If you've updated to iOS 14, here's a new feature for the iPhone you may want to check out: Back Tap. As the article below explains, you can set your iPhone to enable several functions by two or three taps on the back of the phone.
I've looked at the feature on my iPhone, but haven't decided yet what function I'd like the taps to enable. Ah, a weighty decision.
Jim Hamm
https://www.yahoo.com/news/hidden-iphone-feature-launching-fall-200708155.html
I've upgraded to iOS 14, and am finding some new features that I'm going to like. For example: the App Library. Just tried it and like it already. Here is an article with more info on this feature:
https://www.macworld.com/article/3566693/how-to-use-the-app-library-in-ios-14.html
And here is another article with more useful tips:
https://www.macworld.com/article/3570148/ios-14-hidden-features-you-should-know-about.html
I just set up to tap the face of my iPhone X once to wake it up, and the back twice to open up the Control Center.
So far, I've enjoyed this iOS 14 update.
Jim Hamm
If a new iPad might be in your future, which model to pick can be a bit confusing. The following article will be beneficial in helping you make the right decision.
Jim Hamm
Here is a beta email app that sort of combines Gmail and Apple Mail, I think. I've not used it, and even after reading the info on the website I'm not clear of what advantages it offers. I think I'll have to read it again. I do use Gmail, and not Apple Mail, so I've not decided whether to try this app or not. If, however, you try Mimestream, let me know, if you would, what you think of it.
Jim Hamm
The following article has information about the upcoming Apple Event, which is to be held September 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Jim Hamm
https://www.macworld.com/article/3574083/apple-to-unveil-new-products-at-september-15-event.html
'“In macOS Mojave, Apple introduced the concept of notarization, a process that developers can go through to ensure that their software is malware-free (and must go through for their software to run on macOS Catalina). This is meant to be another layer in Apple’s protection against malware. Unfortunately, it’s starting to look like notarization may be less security and more security theater.”
Below is a link to information concerning this subject.
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/mac/2020/08/apples-notarization-process-fails-to-protect/
Please note: Our users should be using an app to protect themselves, like Sophos or Malwarebytes.
Frank Croft and John Carter
After reading the following article, I wonder if now is the time to sell the Apple stock I bought a few years ago. Or maybe I'll just buy another Mac.
Jim Hamm
Apple’s market cap surpassed $2 trillion for the first time yesterday, cementing its status as the biggest company in the world. Its stock, which will undergo a 4-1 split in the coming weeks, has increased over 50% in 2020.
Apple wasn’t the first to break the $2 trillion valuation mark—that honor goes to the oil conglomerate Saudi Aramco—and it (probably) won’t be the last. Big Tech buddies Amazon and Microsoft are both sitting at valuations around $1.6 trillion.
A crazy stat: it took Apple 42 years to reach a $1 trillion valuation, but only two years after that to break $2 trillion.
Pretty much by just being Apple. The iPhone maker hasn’t released an entirely new product since the HomePod in 2018, mostly focusing on tweaking or updating existing lines. But if there is one thing Apple does well, it’s make money: Despite the pandemic, Apple’s Q3 profits rose 12% while sales of every single product increased.
But it doesn’t just sell iPhones: Part of investors’ Apple fever has been fueled by CEO Tim Cook’s increased focus on its services business that includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, and the App Store. In 2017, Cook outlined his goal to double 2016 services revenue by 2020, which he achieved six months ahead of schedule.
It was a prescient move. With iPhone sales plateauing worldwide, Cook’s pivot has investors valuing Apple less like a hardware company and more like a software one.
After Cook testified in the antitrust showdown with Congress last month, Fortnite creator Epic Games poked the bear by attempting to circumvent Apple’s 30% cut of in-app purchases. But even as other developers have joined in to criticize Apple’s alleged monopolistic control of the app marketplace, investors remain unfazed.
Looking ahead...Apple optimism continues to abound. The iPhone 12 coming this fall is widely expected to come equipped with 5G connectivity.
Here is an article that may bring back memories for you. It brought back fond memories of about 20 years or so ago for me. Personal computing was fairly new then, new ideas and programs becoming available quite often, and all of this was a new experience for me, and many others. I belonged to both a Mac club and a PC club, and enjoyed both. As the article suggests, computer clubs may be becoming sparser nowadays, for reasons mentioned in the article. And, of course, today the virus is putting a kibosh on most personal meetings.
As to the article: as Bob Hope used to say: "Thanks for the memories".
Jim Hamm
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/08/the-golden-age-of-computer-user-groups/
Here is a helpful article describing useful Mac tips that might make your 'putering' more pleasant.
Jim Hamm
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3571934/10-ways-to-get-more-out-of-your-mac.html