Category Archives: Computers

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.

Episode 139, Apple means business, personally and professionally



In this episode we will discuss a dozen reasons why Apple should be the choice of your personal and business interests.

See it all in sharp detail on the immersive 24‑inch 4.5K Retina display. The P3 wide color gamut brings what you’re watching to life in over a billion colors. Images shine with a brilliant 500 nits of brightness. Industry-leading anti‑reflective coating delivers greater comfort and readability. And True Tone technology automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to the ambient light of your environment, for a more natural viewing experience. 
The thinnest, lightest notebook, completely transformed with an Apple M1 chip. CPU speeds up to 3.5x faster.
M1 has an 16 billion transistors with the Apple computing system on a chip.

 


Episode 138, Apple launches iPhone 12 MagSafe Battery Pack; & updates operating systems



In this episode we will discuss the recent launch of Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack, an add-on battery that is tailored to work with the Phone 12 models.  We will cover its features, some of the reasons you may want to buy one, and how to use it properly.  We will end the podcast to tell you about the recent update for various Apple operating systems, including macOS Big Sur 11.5, iOS 14.7, watchOS 7.6, and tvOS 14.7.

The MagSafe Battery Pack only comes in white, priced at $99 US and has a rounded, rectangular design that matches the shape of the iPhone, and it attaches to the back of all of the iPhone 12 line up.
To see your charging status in Today View or on the Home Screen, add the Batteries widget:  Go to Today View or the Home Screen page where you want to add the widget, then touch and hold the background until the apps begin to jiggle. Tap the Add Widget button at the top of the screen to open the widget gallery.  Scroll or search to find Batteries, tap it, then swipe left through the size options. The different sizes display different information.  When you see the size you want, tap Add Widget, then tap Done.

Episode 132, Apple debuts iOS 15 bringing new ways to stay connected and powerful features that help users focus, explore, and do more with on-device intelligence



In this episode, we will discuss one of Apple’s announcements Monday kicking off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference 2021 with major updates to FaceTime, new Focus features to reduce distraction, enhanced on-device intelligence to discover information, and more ways to explore the world using Maps, Weather, and Wallet.

iOS 15 introduces SharePlay in FaceTime, Live Text using on-device intelligence, redesigned Notifications, and more.
The stunning Portrait mode from the Camera app is now optimized for video calls in FaceTime.
Focus helps users filter notifications to reduce distractions, using a custom Focus or a suggested Focus like Work or Sleep.
An all-new city navigation and exploration experience comes to Apple Maps with more realistic and colorful details.

Episode 131, Not all USB-C ports or cables are equal; why one USB-C cable is not likely like another; and what you should know. WWDC 2021 begins Monday.



In this episode, I’ll explain the USB-C charging system and tell listeners the differences between the cables and why not all USB-C ports or cables are equal; why one USB-C cable is not likely not like another; and what you should know.  Ushering in several years ago was the idyllic age of the one-size-fits-all cable. Despite the USB-C connector supplied as default in modern smartphones, the standard has, unfortunately, failed to live up to its promises.  It’s now become time, especially here in the past year, where to keep track which cable belongs to what device if you want a device to work or work optimally.  Also, you need to know what your device USB-C port’s capabilities.  We have some fixes for the interim and there is some promise of improvements in the future.   We will close with information about WWDC 2021 which kicks off Monday.

Typical USB-C male connector