iPhone Shortcuts

If you have the iPhone and would like to add a shortcut to it, the following article explains how. Although the article is a bit dated (January 2019), hopefully the app and shortcut method outlined in this article still work. As for me, with iOS 14 installed, with a new 'tap' shortcut feature, I set up a single tap and a double tap for two shortcuts that work well for me, so I haven't needed to try the shortcut app feature mentioned in the article.

If you do decide to try the shortcut app, good luck.

Jim Hamm

https://www.howtogeek.com/368465/what-are-siri-shortcuts-and-how-do-i-use-them/

Apple Event

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.

iPhone 5G Capability

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

iPhone Claim

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

Apple Engineers Designed a Custom Face Mask for Employees

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

iOS 14: 25 Things to Try

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_kifjcolp8

iOS 14 Settings

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

https://youtu.be/kIWRBz8o9W0

Tips for iOS 14

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   

iPhone Back Tap

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

iOS 14 Tips

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

Mimestream

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

https://mimestream.com/

Apple’s Notarization Process Fails to Protect

'“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