Category Archives: business

Episode 242, Apple launches Journal, a new app to reflect on everyday moments and life’s special events



In this episode, we will be discussing Journal, a new iPhone app available starting this week, which helps users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling, which has been shown to improve wellbeing. With Journal, users can capture and write about everyday moments and special events in their lives, and include photos, videos, audio recordings, locations, and more to create rich memories.  It’s a great app to learn how to use and start off the new year journalling your way through the 2024.

Journal, a new iPhone app that helps users reflect on everyday moments and special events in their lives, uses on-device machine learning to create personalized suggestions to inspire a user’s journal entries.
To help inspire journal entries, personalized suggestions can be intelligently curated from a user’s recent activity, such as photos, people, places, workouts, and more.
To help inspire journal entries, personalized suggestions can be intelligently curated from a user’s recent activity, such as photos, people, places, workouts, and more.
Journal uses on-device machine learning to create personalized suggestions to inspire a user’s journal entries.

Episode 236, Apple introduces new Apple Pencil, bringing more value, USB-C, and choice to the lineup



In this episode, we will discuss Apple introduces new Apple Pencil, bringing more value and choice to the lineup.  We will be covering the features of the new Apple pencil and comparisons to the current lineup.  More information is on our podcast website at https://macminutes.blubrry.net and the Apple website covering the new pencil at https://apple.com/apple-pencil .

Perfect for note taking, sketching, annotating, journaling, and more, the new Apple Pencil is ideal for everyday productivity and creativity.
The new, more affordable Apple Pencil brings incredible features that customers love, including pixel-perfect accuracy, low latency, and tilt sensitivity.
A sliding cap reveals a USB-C port, enabling the new Apple Pencil to work with all iPad models that have a USB-C port.


Episode 216, Apple introduces ‘Apple Pay Later’ to allow consumers to pay for purchases over time



In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s introduction of ‘Apple Pay Later’ on Tuesday, March 28 to allow consumers to pay for purchases over time.  Apple Pay users can now split purchases into four payments with zero interest and no fees.  If you are looking for a way to afford a new computer listen to the podcast as ‘Apple Pay Later’ may be the way to do so.

Designed with users’ financial health in mind, Apple Pay Later allows users to split purchases into four payments, spread over six weeks with no interest and no fees.
Users can apply for Apple Pay Later loans of $50 to $1,000, which can be used for online and in-app purchases made on iPhone and iPad with merchants that accept Apple Pay.
Users can seamlessly view, track, and manage all of their loans in Wallet. They can also choose to see all upcoming payments on a calendar view in Wallet.

Episode 179, Apple introduces new professional training to support growing IT workforce; Ford Motor Company offers employee training



In this episode, we will discuss Apple introducing new professional training to support growing IT workforce.  We will look at the program and how new companies are introducing their employees to the new training. We will also update you on the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, commonly referred to as WWDC22.

Apple launched Wednesday updated professional training and certifications for IT support and management. The redesigned training has moved to an online, self-paced format.
After completing an estimated 14 hours of learning content, users can take an exam to earn the Apple Certified Support Professional certification.
The second level of training in the IT series is the Apple Deployment and Management course, which covers how to configure, manage, and secure Apple products using mobile device management.

Episode 173, Apple Business Essentials now available for small businesses; Apple announces ‘Friday Night Baseball’ MLB coverage



In this episode, we will discuss Apple announcing Thursday that Apple Business Essentials is now available to all small businesses in the US. The new service brings together device management, 24/7 Apple support, and iCloud storage into flexible subscription plans.  In the second half of the podcast we will delve into Apple’s venture into sports with its coverage of Major League Baseball coverage with the debut of their show Friday Night Baseball.

Apple Business Essentials is now available as a subscription for all small businesses in the US. The new service brings together device management, 24/7 Apple support, and iCloud storage into flexible subscription plans, now available with AppleCare+ for Business Essentials.

Friday Night Baseball Schedule

Friday, April 8
New York Mets at Washington Nationals
7 p.m. ET
Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ET

 Friday, April 15 
Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox
7 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers
10 p.m. ET

Friday, April 22
St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
6:30 p.m. ET
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics
9:30 p.m. ET

 Friday, April 29
New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals
8 p.m. ET
Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants
10 p.m. ET

Friday, May 6
Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox
7 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners
9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, May 13
San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves
7 p.m. ET
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks
9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, May 20
St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates
6:30 p.m. ET
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
8 p.m. ET

Friday, May 27
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox
7 p.m. ET
Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, June 3
Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees
7 p.m. ET
Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies
8:30 p.m. ET

Friday, June 10
Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins
8 p.m. ET
New York Mets at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, June 17
Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros
8 p.m. ET
Cleveland Guardians at Los Angeles Dodgers
10 p.m. ET

Friday, June 24
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
8 p.m. ET
Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks
9:30 p.m. ET


Episode 167, Apple announces businesses to accept contactless payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone; Apple updates AirTag and unwanted tracking



In this episode, we will discuss Apple announcements this week, United States merchants will be able to accept Apple Pay and other contactless payments simply later this year by using iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS application.  In the second half of the podcast we will talk about Apple discussing AirTags and unwanted tracking. We will talk about these items and much more.

No additional hardware is needed to accept contactless payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone, so businesses can accept payments from wherever they do business.
Tap to Pay on iPhone enables businesses to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets through a simple tap to their iPhone.
AirTag is a small and elegantly designed accessory that can be personalized with free engraving, and enables iPhone users to securely locate and keep track of their valuables using the Find My app. Apple announced this week they will be making changes to prevent unwanted tracking.