Category Archives: Computers

Episode 156, SharePlay powers new ways to stay connected and share experiences in FaceTime



In this episode, we will talk about Apple’s announcement Thursday giving SharePlay powers new ways to stay connected and share experiences in FaceTime.  SharePlay is now available with Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, NBA, Paramount+, SHOWTIME, TikTok, Twitch, and many more apps.  We will discuss the features and practical applications.

With SharePlay, people can now share experiences while connecting with friends on FaceTime, including watching a TV show or movie, listening to music, or completing a workout.
NBA League Pass through the NBA app offers SharePlay support so iPhone and iPad users can watch a recent basketball game or stream the latest game live, and SharePlay will keep the experience in sync for everyone on the FaceTime call.
SharePlay works with Apple Fitness+ so users can work out or meditate together while on a FaceTime call.

Episode 153, Apple celebrates Veteran’s Day with Fitness; Activity Awards creates your achievements into beautiful magnets



In this episode we will discuss Apple celebrating Veteran’s Day in the United States by earning a beautiful Apple Activity Challenge Fitness award on Thursday, November 11.  We will tell you how you can participate in this noteworthy effort. In the second half of the podcast we will talk about the Activity Awards company that offers physical representations of the digital fitness awards that Apple provides when AppleWatch owners meet their goals. Happy Veteran’s Day from the Mac Minutes Podcast!

Apple is planning to offer its next Apple Watch Activity Challenge on Thursday, November 11 in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday. The photo in the far right is the physical Veteran’s Award that is obtainable from https://activityawards.com
This display is my shadow box with my earned Apple Activity Awards.

Episode 152, macOS Monterey operating system launches bringing new features; iOS 15.1 update brings SharePlay and COVID vaccination card to AppleWallet



In this episode, we will discuss the new features of macOS Monterey which was launched on Monday and the recent iOS 15.1 update which brings SharePlay to FaceTime and COVID vaccination cards to AppleWallet.

macOS Monterey includes powerful new ways to connect with others, accomplish more, and work seamlessly across Apple devices.
FaceTime includes new audio and video features that make calls feel more natural and lifelike, and new Continuity tools like AirPlay to Mac enable Apple devices to work even better together. Live Text and Visual Lookup bring new intelligence features to surface useful information, Safari includes powerful tab organization with Tab Groups, and the ease of automation comes to the Mac with Shortcuts.
Learn how to add your COVID vaccination at Apple Support located at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212752

Episode 150, Apple ‘Unleashed’ Keynote Event highlights new powerful 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros equipped M1 Pro and M1 Max Silicon Chips



In this episode we will discuss the highlight of the virtual Unleashed Keynote Event, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with all new generation of M1 Pro and Max silicon chips, which were announced Monday morning by Apple.

The completely reimagined 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro is powered by the all-new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
MacBook Pro features a Magic Keyboard with a full-height function row and the industry-best Force Touch trackpad.

Episode 149, Apple ‘Unleashed’ Keynote Event Monday expected to bring new MacBook Pros, AirPods and macOS Monterey



In this episode we will preview Apple’s next virtual keynote event on Monday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time which is expected to bring new hardware, including the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, third-generation AirPods and the launching date of macOS Monterey operating system.  The Apple Keynote event dubbed “Unleashed” will shown live on the Apple events TV app, or Apple.com, with special Mac Minutes Podcast coverage soon after the event.

macOS Monterey public version is expected to be announced Monday, May 18. (courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Episode 147, Apple announces new features in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers to enhance remote presentations and working with documents on the go



In this episode we will discuss the Apple’s announcement Tuesday, Sept. 28 how the new features in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers enhance remote presentations and working with documents on the go.  Keynote adds new tools for collaborative presenting; Pages makes it easier to work with documents on iPhone; and Numbers brings pivot tables to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Keynote adds new tools for collaborative presenting; Pages makes it easier to work with documents on iPhone; and Numbers brings pivot tables to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Presenting as a group is easier than ever with new multi-presenter slideshows in Keynote.  Keynote also adds new tools for collaborative presenting.
With pivot tables on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can quickly summarize, group, and rearrange data to identify and analyze patterns and trends.

Episode 146, iOS 15 is now available and brings new features



In this episode we will start to discuss some of the most significant features of iOS 15 which are now available for most users.  iOS 15 introduces new ways to stay connected, powerful updates that help users focus and explore, and intelligent features to get more done with iPhone. It is a free update for Apple users.

iOS 15 introduces Live Text using on-device intelligence, redesigned notifications, upgrades to Maps, and more
 

Episode 143, Apple acquires Primephonic, classical music service; first states to adopt driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet; and new changes coming to the Apple App Store



In this episode we will review Apple’s top stories this week including Apple acquiring Primephonic, the renowned classical music streaming service; Apple announcing the first states signed up to adopt driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet; and App Store improvements, announcing a number of changes coming to the App Store after resolving dispute with developers.

 

The renowned classical music experience is coming to Apple Music.
Apple announced this week the first states including Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to be among the first states to bring state IDs and driver’s licenses in Wallet to their residents.

 


Mac Minutes Podcast, Episode 141, UV Light sterilization explained; Review of the versatile Ampere Cell to clean your tech devices



In this episode we will continue our emphasis on health with a review of the versatile Ampere Cell, which uses UV light to clean your tech devices.  We will also explain how UV light appears to kill the deadly COVID virus and other harmful organisms.

When you’re not sanitizing your smartphone, power it up. Ampere Cell’s charging surface contains two 15W wireless charging coils to fast-charge any Qi-enabled device. More information is at their website ampere.shop

Episode 140, HeartWatch App adds features; Student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch expand to Canada & more US universities



In this episode we will continue our emphasis on health with a review on a health application for the AppleWatch, named the HeartWatch.  It has recently added several new news and diagnostic features, including a partnership with the heart foundation, and personalized heart news.  This is definitely an interesting story for those who are heart conscious.  In the second half of the podcast, we will discuss the tens of thousands of students who will be returning to school this year and will be able to use mobile student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch to get around campus and make purchases.

If you’re wanting to better understand your health, HeartWatch should be on the top of your list. It takes the information captured by the Apple Watch and gives you actionable way to improve your health.

 

With their student IDs in Wallet, university students and faculty can simply tap their iPhone to access campus buildings and make purchases.