From the iTunes interface it appears you have to choose the option of either local or iCloud backup of your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. But that’s not true. You can do both! Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do it. Read More »
Dave Greenbaum
Apple recently introduced software updates and a removal tool for the “Flashback” threat on Macs. Users of Apple’s current desktop OS, Lion 10.7.3, and the previous Snow Leopard 10.6.8, Apple’s got you covered. For anything older, Apple’s recommendation is disabling Java. That’s wrong, and here’s why. Read More »
Custom ringtones are great for knowing who’s calling, but those of us whose phones are on vibrate get left out of that party. One of the less advertised features of iOS 5 is the ability to to assign custom vibration patterns to individual callers. Here’s how. Read More »
As an active and enthusiastic Square merchant for my mobile business, I decided to compare notes with several other business owners who use iOS devices to ring up sales and manage their businesses. Here’s what I found. Read More »
Nielsen released a study that found just about a third of smartphone users turn to their device for shopping-related activities. But the study highlights that while not everyone is using their phone in this way, many more would like to. Read More »
Being the resident “extreme” iPhone case enthusiast, I was intrigued by the new cellhelmet Kickstarter project. This $44.99 case combines svelte design with protection against drops, but bundles it with an actual insurance policy that replaces your iPhone if damaged while in the case. Read More »
Macworld | iWorld had some fantastic products. Ignoring anything that wasn’t actually shipping, since so many products never actually make it to market , here are my top picks from the show. They include most iDevice companions, but also one product any Mac user wil love. Read More »
We’ve already talked about some key highlights from the Macworld | iWorld 2012 show, particularly from the prosumer and developer angles. But my focus here is on those products average Apple users might be interested in, for both Mac and iOS devices. Read More »
Although it’s still winter, now is the time to do some spring cleaning on your Mac to help it run more efficient and reliably. Here are six simple steps to take that will get your Mac sparkly clean and running like new. Read More »
A common New Year’s resolution is getting more organized, and email is often very much in need of organization. I’ve long been a fan of the “Inbox Zero” philosophy. It’s easier than you think to accomplish, and these simple tips will help you get there. Read More »
Losing weight is on a lot of people’s minds post-New Year, so this is a perfect time to revisit tips and tricks about how to use Apple technologies to help you get healthier in 2012. Attitude, food and activity monitoring can contribute to a healthier you. Read More »
A new year is a perfect time to talk about ways to protect your data. You should be backing up and you know it, and if you are already backing up, it’s time to test your strategy and include things you may be forgetting. Read More »
Whether you got an online backup subscription as a holiday gift or just decided it’s time to have your backup offsite, it’s a good idea to keep your data protected, and one that never goes out of style. Here’s the right way to get started. Read More »
Many of us got some great tech gifts during the holidays. Knowing what exactly you have, and keeping critical info handy can make life easier when problems occur. Here are a few simple tips you can use now to save time and money in the future. Read More »
With a competitive primary and caucus season upon us for the 2012 Republican Presidential race (the Democratic race is uncontested with President Obama running for re-election), your iPhone could be a handy guide in helping you decide whom to vote for. Read More »
One of the jailbreak features I really wish would come to the platform legitimately is the ability to use launchers to quickly start an app without digging through multiple home screens. Luckily, you can mimic the behavior of a quick launcher with iOS 5′s Notification Centre. Read More »
So you finally convinced your friends and family to retire their PC in favor of a Mac with a Christmas gift. Now, you have to deal with being the training wheels for a new operating system. Here’s how to ease their transition. Read More »
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of disappointment ran through your head because you waited until the very very last minute to buy gifts. Here are some options for gifts that while thoughtful, don’t require you to meet shipping deadlines. Read More »
Tweeting while in the shower? Blogging while in the bathtub? The Lifeproof iPhone case makes it possible, and even manages to do so without adding much girth to your device or sealing it away in a cumbersome bag-style cover, like other alternatives. Read More »
Previous generations of home surveillance systems required setup via a computer (usually a PC) and had a high cost of entry, but a new crop of low-cost Internet-enabled cameras promise “post-PC” easy setup as well as iOS integration. I’ve tested two new players in this area. Read More »
If your work area is anything like mine, you have an assortment of power bricks and USB cords cluttering things up. The iDAPT i4 solves the charging dillema by creating a universal and interchangeable charging station, using swappable tips to cover the gamut of mobile devices. Read More »
Unhappy with Lion’s new iCal interface? You’re not alone. While some fixes exist, I’ve found BusyCal not only retains all the good stuff from iCal for Snow Leopard, but also adds many new features that make it a great purchase for anyone. Read More »
With Black Friday just around the corner, your iPhone might be your greatest weapon for getting the best deals around. Just be sure you download these apps, and remember not to literally crash through doors, regardless of what retailer marketing says they’d like you to do. Read More »
Whether you use iCloud, MobileMe or Google to sync your contacts and calendars — no matter how careful you are — glitches occur. Fortunately, Spanning Tools helps clean up your contacts and calendars, making sure your syncs go as planned and correcting errors after the fact. Read More »
After I wrote my recent article about Bluetooth integration with car audio, Ford contacted me about the Microsoft SYNC system. I took it for a test drive (literally). A new Ford may just be about the best (and probably most expensive) iPhone accessory out there. Read More »
With Oktoberfest in full swing and people around the world celebrating beer, it seems an appropriate time to review some iPhone great apps for real beer lovers. No beer pong apps here; these are all about enjoying the actual beverage itself (responsibly, of course). Read More »
Like many others, I find the iPad on-screen keyboard lacking, and the problem with a combo keyboard and case is that the keyboard is limited in size by the size of the iPad. Luckily, Logitech has introduced a new accessory that works around that limitation. Read More »
For fans of streamed music, another choice has arrived on the iPhone. Turntable.fm’s official, free iPhone app hit the App Store today. It requires nothing more than your Facebook credentials to get started, and looks to bring the success of the desktop version to Apple devices. Read More »
With OS X Lion’s incredible success and high adoption rate, Apple customers and repair technicians such as myself are facing higher than usual rates of embarrassment thanks to Lion’s ability to restore your windows exactly as they were when an app was closed. Read More »
Since music subscriptions services like Spotify and Pandora are all the rage, I wanted to listen to them in my car instead of the same boring CDs. To achieve my goal as painlessly as possible, I checked out a range of Bluetooth A2DP in-car streaming solutions. Read More »
Macs are fairly dependable, but there will still be occasions when you have to take them in for service at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. This can take some doing, so here are three tips about things you might not think about when moving your Mac. Read More »
With Mac products so popular on college campuses these days, here are some tips to make sure your (or your kids’) college Mac experience goes as smoothly as possible, and won’t end up completely derailed if it does run into a few bumps. Read More »
One of the most dreaded questions in any household is “what’s for dinner?” The question is fraught with complex issues of family responsibilities, finances, and personal preferences. While it won’t do the dishes, iPhoto has become an indispensable meal planning tool in my family. Read More »
As I try to carry my iPad more and my MacBook less, one of the key reasons I still needed a portable computer was scanning. I’ve tested many portable scanners that still needed a computer, but now Visoneer offers a cross-platform, device-independent mobile scanning solution. Read More »
Over the past year I’ve been using my iPhone to help me lose weight. I lost over 70 pounds, thanks in large part to my iPhone. Here’s a list of the tools I used to accomplish my goal, and how they could help you accomplish yours. Read More »
Despite warnings that your Rosetta apps won’t run under Lion, some applications are simply irreplaceable and have no effective post-Lion alternative. All is not lost. Here are three solutions that will let you access those old applications, and only two of them require pre-upgrade planning. Read More »
While many of us figuratively feel like we sleep with our iPhone, I’ve been literally doing just that for the past few months, testing a variety of sleep monitoring and maintenance tools. Here’s what I found out about sleeping with machines. Read More »
Apple is dropping Rosetta from OS X Lion, which means PowerPC-only apps won’t work on Macs running the operating system. It might surprise you how many still-useful and used apps that will leave out in the cold. Here’s a few, and some replacement suggestions. Read More »
SSDs are making new computers blazingly fast. But how do they affect the performance of older machines? I tested an SSD in my original black MacBook (circa 2006) to find out if it could help my aging beauty get back her youthful charm. Read More »
With WWDC well underway, you might have heard a few words related to computer programming that even Mac experts have trouble understanding, but it happens to the best of us. Here’s a quick glossary of the programming terms that are probably most likely to confuse. Read More »
Although Apple discontinued new signups for MobileMe on Monday, iCloud syncing won’t be available until the fall, and most likely will only be available for those running iOS 5 and Lion. What’s an Apple fan to do in the meantime? Go to a competitor. Read More »
MacDefender is the latest, and arguably the most significant Mac malware threat we’ve seen in a long time. Apple support reportedly isn’t offering help over the phone to affected customers, but doing so could set a costly precedent, and there’s arguably a better solution available long-term. Read More »
After reading Darrell’s excellent appraisal of Apple’s new retail model, I had to run out and see fit for myself. After all, 10 years ago Apple’s minimalist approach was unusual and out of step. Is Apple Retail 2.0 a step forward, or a step back? Read More »
Most of the time what I say on iChat is unimportant and would bore any eavesdropper, but on occasion I need to communicate some sensitive info, and I feel uncomfortable doing that over an unsecured connection. Luckily, with MobileMe there’s a way to make it secure. Read More »
With my recent purchase of an iPhone 4, I began a search for the perfect protective case. Surprisingly few products offer a high level of protection, and even some previous brand leaders are opting for fashion over function. Which one can I trust my precious to? Read More »
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