Apple news, tips, tricks, thoughts, and opinions.
My impending iPhone upgrade
I can’t believe it’s already that time of year again. We’re (allegedly) just 3 weeks away from the announcement of the iPhone 15 lineup, and as has become custom over the past bunch of years, we mostly know what to expect. The Pro iPhones will see the biggest changes since the introduction of the iPhone 12 in 2020 while the regular iPhone’s updates will be more incremental. Since I’m on Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, getting a new iPhone each year is kind of a no-brainer, but this year is going to be the most difficult one in a long time.
I just bought an M1 iPad Pro
No, that’s not a typo. Despite the facts that, a.) Apple just announced a new iPad Pro with the M2 chip and b.) I’m usually the kind of guy that likes the newest and shiniest tech, I decided to upgrade my 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro to a slightly older 2021 model. Here’s why.
6 iPhone apps I can’t live without
Believe it or not, we’re only a couple of days away from new iPhones, with the iPhone 14 line scheduled for release this Friday. Since I’m on Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program and I get a new one every year, this is the time of year that I start really thinking about how I’ve been using my iPhone and which apps I can delete to make the migration easier. That lead me to this list - the iPhone apps I can’t live without.
The ridiculous complaints about the M2 MacBook Air
If you spend any amount of time researching the M2 MacBook Air, you’re going to come across four “issues” that tech reviewers can’t stop rehashing. Some of the rhetoric may even lead you to believe that the new version of Apple’s most popular computer is not worth your money.
I’m here to tell you why these complaints are completely overblown and, in most cases, not even worth considering.
Why I decided to switch to T-Mobile
I never thought I’d say this, but I just switched cell phone carries. The weird part is that I switched to T-Mobile, but the real kicker...I’m excited about it.
Tips to avoid phishing and keep your accounts secure
One of the benefits of using Apple devices is tight security, but no matter how secure a device is, there’s nothing that can protect against bad habits. No amount of anti-virus software or other security measures can protect you if you willfully click a link in a phishing email and give a thief your bank account information. Here are a few tips to help you avoid phishing schemes and keep your accounts secure.
What’s the best Mac for audio production?
The more I’ve thought about the current state of Mac desktops, the more glaring the lack of an M1 Pro option has become. Most of the tech pundits I follow focus on the video capabilities of Macs, so they’ve all been blown away by the Mac Studio with its M1 Max and M1 Ultra options…and rightly so. But that’s only part of the story. Since my background leans much more toward music, I wondered: which Mac is the best option for audio production?
I still believe in the iMac Pro
Ever since Apple’s Peek Performance event at the beginning of the month, there has been a ton of chatter on blogs and on Twitter about Apple scrapping the idea of an iMac Pro. I think they’re all wrong. Here’s why.
iPad Air vs. 11-inch iPad Pro
Apple updated the iPad Air at its spring “Peek Performance” event on Tuesday, bringing it even closer to the 11-inch iPad Pro in terms of features and specs. If you’re considering a new medium-sized iPad, it can be tough to choose between the two. Here’s a quick feature comparison that might make your life a little easier.
AT&T and Verizon start rolling out C-Band 5G service
AT&T and Verizon are rolling out C-Band 5G as of yesterday. C-Band is considered the goldilocks part of the spectrum for 5G service, and it's the reason T-Mobile has been smoking the other guys in terms of 5G performance.
Update to iOS 15.2 and add a Legacy Contact
This can be a touchy subject for some, but it’s important to consider what happens to your stuff after you’re gone. There’s a new feature in the recently released iOS 15.2 update that gives you the ability to add a trusted “Legacy Contact” to give them access to your digital life after you pass away.
Sync iMessage and SMS Texts across devices
I have a lot of devices, which is not a shock to anyone who knows me. In the past, Apple’s Messages app has been a pain to use because messages didn’t always sync among my devices. I’d read a text on my iPhone but it would still show as unread on my iPad. Or I’d delete a spam text on my iPhone but it would still be there on my Mac. Then I discovered a better way to live.
HDMI ARC support is the best feature of the latest Apple TV 4K
Back in April, Apple released a new version of its Apple TV 4K streaming box, sporting the same black box design with a few internal updates. If you already have an Apple TV 4K, you may assume there’s no compelling reason to upgrade, and for the most part, you’d be right. But there’s one particular feature of the new Apple TV 4K that made it a must-buy for me: HDMI ARC support.
PSA: Make sure Wi-Fi calling is enabled on your iPhone
Wi-Fi calling is a feature that everyone should be using, but many people may not know about. I’ve always been a fan, especially because of the incredible call quality when talking iPhone to iPhone. What I didn’t realize is that the setting doesn’t automatically activate when transferring to a new device.
MacBook Pro Review
I received my base-level 14-inch MacBook Pro on launch day last week, and so far, I’m very happy with it. In short, this is the MacBook Pro that serious professional users have been waiting for.
My New MacBook Pro
Apple’s latest MacBook Pros were announced on Monday, October 18th and start shipping on Tuesday the 26th. Naturally, I ordered one, and I was lucky enough to get a Tuesday delivery date.
Use a Hearing Test to Customize Your AirPods Sound Profile
Apple’s Health app is packed with interesting functionality, but a lot of it flies under the radar. I discovered this feature via Twitter and thought I’d share, especially for my musician friends who have tormented their eardrums for most of their lives.
iPad mini 6: First Impressions
Today is such an awesome day. Not only is my iPhone 13 Pro Max arriving soon, but the nice UPS man drove directly from the distribution center to my front door to bring me the new iPad mini and Smart Folio. Here are my first impressions of this new tiny iPad.
Apple September Event Recap: Just the Facts (and more)
Yesterday was Apple’s big September event which, for nerds like me, is like Christmas and the Super Bowl combined. Here’s a quick recap of what was and wasn’t announced, along with some analysis and advice thrown in.
The Assumed September iPhone Event
If the rumors are true (and, based on history, they should be), Apple’s annual iPhone event will be happening next week on Tuesday, September 14th. It kicks off the most exciting time of the year for an Apple nerd like me, so I thought I’d run down what we’re expecting and what, if anything, I’m planning to purchase.