From Jim H
While I haven't had any issues with my Mac running slow, if you have, the following article might be useful...Jim
How to clear your MacBook cache (and wipe out lag for good) https://flip.it/Dw-9us
iPhone Tip
From Jim H
If you have an Apple iPhone, the following article will be of interest. Our family uses Apple's "Find My" app, and find it to be most useful. After reading the following article, it has another use which I wasn't aware of, and could be most helpful if you've misplaced your iPhone...Jim
Your lost or stolen iPhone can be found even if it’s turned off — here's how https://flip.it/ShaT1S
9 Hidden Apple Watch Health Features
From Jim H
If you own an Apple watch, the following article may be of interest...Jim
A Doctor at Apple Reveals 9 Hidden Apple Watch Health Features https://flip.it/UbDqM-
Want More from Your Apple Watch?
From Jim H
While I don't have an Apple smartwatch, if you do, the following may be of interest...Jim
Want More From Your Smartwatch? Check Out These 20 Essential Tips Every Apple Watch Owner Should Know
The Apple Watch can track sleep, ping your phone, play music, and more. If you're a long-time user or just got the new Series 11 or Ultra 3, our tips will help you do more with Apple's smartwatch.
Apple Executives Come and Go
From Jim H
It seems some executives are departing Apple, per Kim Komando's blog below. In my opinion, no particular cause for concern, as Apple seems to be doing fine, per the following financials in Morningstar. Executives come and go from companies, and that's just life in the business world, in my opinion....Jim
🍎 Apple gets cored: Big trouble in Cupertino. Apple’s facing its biggest leadership exodus since Steve Jobs died. Key VPs, including AI chief John Giannandrea and UI boss Alan Dye, are heading for the exit. Why? The iPhone hasn't changed in years and they have absolutely zero AI. While competitors zoom ahead, Apple is stalling out. When the suits start running, you know they’re falling behind.
Discover & Prevent Device Fingerprinting
From Frank C
This new site and test by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (VERY safe site) is really good, and tells you in great detail how much “fingerprinting” your browser allows!!
Fingerprinting allows sites you visit with your browser to identify who you are!
Worlds Smallest 1 TB Flash Drive
From Frank C
This is pretty cool! The perfect solution when you are running out of internal disk storage.
https://www.cultofmac.com/news/sandisk-extreme-fit-usb-c-flash-drive-ssd-adds-terabyte-to-macbook
From Jim H: Looks like some news will be coming from Apple soon. Take a read below on what tech blogger Kim Komando has to say about this. I'm guessing the Starlink idea will be a direct competitor with other cellular services, such as Verizon, et al. Wonder if this means one would have a cellular connection, just about anywhere?.....Jim
Nifty 50: Apple’s turning 50 soon and acting brand new. They’re working on satellite upgrades (paywall link) with Starlink for iPhones and Apple Watches, so you can text without service, plus a $1 billion-a-year deal with Google’s Gemini AI to make Siri smarter. Oh, and a “low-cost” MacBook’s coming to compete with Windows. Finally.
Apple News
From Jim H: Looks like some news will be coming from Apple soon. Take a read below on what tech blogger Kim Komando has to say about this. I'm guessing the Starlink idea will be a direct competitor with other cellular services, such as Verizon, et al. Wonder if this means one would have a cellular connection, just about anywhere?.....Jim
Nifty 50: Apple’s turning 50 soon and acting brand new. They’re working on satellite upgrades (paywall link) with Starlink for iPhones and Apple Watches, so you can text without service, plus a $1 billion-a-year deal with Google’s Gemini AI to make Siri smarter. Oh, and a “low-cost” MacBook’s coming to compete with Windows. Finally.
Fix Your Phone's Call Audio
From Jim H
If you have a smartphone, here's a tip that might be useful...Jim
Fix your phone’s call audio
Let’s say you’re on the phone with a pal, and your background is so noisy that your friend can’t hear you. Good news if you have an iPhone: There’s Voice Isolation mode.
Place your call, and when your recipient picks up, swipe down from the top right of your screen to access the Control Center.
At the top of your screen, you should see an orange microphone icon next to the word Phone. Tap that, and you’ll see a separate screen with an Audio & Video option. Scroll to and tap Voice Isolation.
On a Samsung, open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects.
Here, you’ll see Adapt sound.
Have a Google Pixel? Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Clear calling.
AI In the News
From Jim H.
It appears that Apple is embracing AI, as the following article explains. Is this good or bad? I dunno, but guess we'll find out ...Jim
Tim Cook says Apple is open to M&A on the AI front: Apple CEO Tim Cook noted in the company's Q4 2025 earnings call that Apple was preparing to announce more AI partnerships like the one it has with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence. Read More
If you have an iPhone and occasionally use Siri for a web search or to ask a question, the app may soon become more powerful. Take a read on what Apple is doing -- at a cost of $1 billion annually!...🤨...Wow!...Jim
Apple nears deal to pay Google $1B annually to power new Siri, report says: Apple is turning to Google's technology to help revamp Siri and power a slate of upcoming features for the voice assistant. Read More
Smart Watches
From Jim H
If you have a smartwatch, or perhaps plan to get one, here is an article discussing smartwatches:
It seems smartwatches are focusing more on medical/healthy 'stuff', such as determining if a person has 'hypertension' (high blood pressure), et al. When Zee and I are out and about, it's amazing -- to me, anyway -- at how many people are wearing smartwatches. Mostly I see Apple smartwatches...Jim
Apple reports Q4 2025 earnings: $102.47 billion in revenue, up 8%
From Frank C.
The article describes Apple's earnings report for fiscal Q4 2025. The company reported a record revenue of 102.47 billion, driven by strong iPhone sales and a record high in Services revenue. Apple also reported a net income of 27.47 billion and a strong installed base of active devices.
https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/30/apple-reports-q4-2025-earnings-102-47-billion-in-revenue-up-8-charts/
3rd Party Apps for Apple Watch
From Jim H
Elevate your Apple Watch's functionality with these must-have third-party apps.
People tend to use their Apple Watch as an extension of their iPhone because they can provide easy-to-read notifications and fitness monitoring. For me, my Apple Watch Ultra 3 delivers its best features through independent third-party apps, which enhance its functionality when I am away from my iPhone.
Read More: https://www.makeuseof.com/apple-watch-watchos-must-have-apps/?utm_source=MUO-NL&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=MUO-202510280900&user=bWFjaGFtbUBnbWFpbC5jb20&lctg=b6056840f4e2095141feab4e75560d8883ff81c2def263dc67c59d62c1f84e0c
Grokipedia
From John C
I think that it is very important that the PMUG club discourage the use of Grokipedia based on The Guardian's report that the AI offers misleading and inaccurate information.
Apple Notes
From Jim H
Although I'm a big user of Apple's products, I must admit that I haven't used Apple's Notes app, and not sure why? The following article has many uses for the app. I'll have to do a bit of exploring of Apple's Notes, I guess...Jim
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/things-you-didnt-know-apples-notes-app-could-do
OpenAI's ChatGPT browser arrives today on macOS
From Jim H
If you're an Apple/macOS user, the following may/may not be of interest. Right now, although I do use macOS,
I don't think this will be of any particular use for me. If you use it, maybe you'll let me know what you think?
...Jim
OpenAI's ChatGPT browser arrives today on macOS https://flip.it/JvpiS-
—
Well, here's an article worth perusing. A new AI browser is coming, and it is coming to MacOS first, which is
interesting. It is going to try replacing Google search for web searches. Presently, I use the Firefox browser,
and since Google search has added AI in their search efforts and answers, I like the way it operates. Will I
try the new AI browser? Dunno, but maybe...Jim
OpenAI launches an AI-powered browser: ChatGPT Atlas: OpenAI is launching an AI-powered browser, its latest challenge to Google as the main way people find information online. Read More: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/21/openai-launches-an-ai-powered-browser-chatgpt-atlas/?utm_campaign=daily_pm
AI on the Mac
From Jim H
If you use a Mac, look at what's coming your way. For me, I'm too enthused about this idea!
How about you? It doesn't mention the iPad or iPhone yet...Jim
OpenAI buys Sky, an AI interface for Mac: OpenAI has acquired Software Applications, Inc., the startup behind Sky — an AI-powered natural language interface for Mac that can view your screen and take actions in your apps. Read More
From Jim H
To track luggage when one flies somewhere, an Airtag can be helpful. But crooks, being ever devious and creative, it seems, can use air tags for nefarious purposes. Take a read on the following.
At our stage in life, we don't need AirTags, but if we were still traveling, we'd probably use them to keep track of luggage....Jim
Home invasion, Apple edition: This is scary. A Florida couple got ambushed in their garage at gunpoint after suspects taped an AirTag under their car to track them. Two men have been arrested, facing charges from armed burglary to kidnapping. So yeah, maybe check your car before your next Target run.
Fun with Notes
From John C
Do this on a Mac.
Create a note in Notes. Lock it. Add an image to the note. Close and lock the note.
Click on another note.
Click back on the locked note with the image. The image will show, but when you double-click or right-click on the image to open it in Quick View, a Quick View windows opens, but it won’t show the image. You can’t zoom in on the image to make it full screen.
Now on an iPhone, open the locked noted. You can now double-click on the image and zoom in as though viewing it in Preview.