MacMost: Archives

Apple changed its iPod touch line-up today with the introduction of a new 16GB 5th generation model for $229. This replaces the previous model at the low-end which was simply a 4th generation iPod touch.
The new model means that all current iPod touches now include a 4-inch retina display and an A5 processor. However, this $229 model leaves out the rear-facing 5MP camera and the loop connector present in the other 5th generation models.
CEO Tim Cook was interviewed at this week’s AllThingsD conference and hinted at a range of changes in the future, including opening up more features of the iPhone to 3rd-party apps and a future wristwatch device.
Apple has hired former Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson to help coordinate environmental efforts at Apple. The move was met with praise from outside groups.

“OK kids, we’re in the wild. No modern technology!”
“You mean we need to use a Blackberry instead of our iPhones?”

You can use the Google app to perform voice searches that return similar results to using Siri. Google voice searches can often be faster because your voice is interpreted on the phone, rather than being processed by a remote server. But Google voice search isn't integrated with iOS like Siri, so using both is your best option.

The quick Command+Option+Esc keyboard shortcut gives you access to a list of running apps and lets you force-quit the if necessary. You can force-quit several apps as well, or use this as a quick app switcher. There are also other ways to force-quit apps, though in normal use you should always try to quit an app normally.

You can choose from a list of equalizer presets in iOS to adjust how you hear music from your Music app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The best way to use it is to play some music and try different settings. The Late Night setting is a little different as it applies to video as well. You can use iTunes on your desktop computer to get an idea about what each preset is doing.

“Apple figures out all sorts of ways to charge top dollar for their products and avoid paying taxes on their profits. The government should do something!”
“You know our retirement account is up 1000% over the last 10 years because of all the Apple stock we own, right?”
“I’ve always liked Apple. It might be time for me to get an iPad.”

Version 11.0.3 of iTunes for Mac, available through Software Update, includes a new MiniPlayer with album artwork and a progress bar, an improved Songs list view and better grouping for multiple-disc albums.
Last week Tim Cook mentioned the upcoming change that will bring production of one Mac model back to the United States. Rumors point to this being either a new Mac Pro tower or the next generation Mac mini. Cook said that the effort represents a $100 million investment. In addition to the model being assembled in the US, many of the components will come from domestic sources.
Apple currently employs about 50,000 people in the United States, with much of its software development and services located here.
Apple also released its testimony submitted to Congress, which is investigating how large companies use tax loopholes. In it, Apple suggests that Congress should eliminate tax loopholes and lower corporate tax rates, as well as place a reasonable tax on foreign earnings. Apple currently keeps much of its overseas revenue outside of the US.

The special All My Views view in the Finder gives you access to all of your user files in one list. You can arrange these to group them by application, size or date. You can also sort inside the groups and search to narrow down the list.

You can use a Google Calendar on Mac or your iOS device just as easily as you can use an iCloud calendar. There is no need to 'sync' between them as using one or the other is all that is needed. Google Calendars can be shared between your Mac, iOS, Android and Windows devices.

The OS X Finder offers simple options to compress video and audio files. You can use this to quickly re-compress these files before archiving them or sending them to others. These simple functions only work with some file types and offer limited options.

Another slow week allows Apple’s self-promotional 50 billionth app sale contest to top the news. The lucky guy from Ohio who downloaded an app from the App Store at just the right moment won a $10,000 gift card.
This milestone puts a spotlight on the overwhelming success of the iOS App Store. It has transformed both the mobile device industry and the software industry in five short years.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will soon appear in front of a Senate subcommittee about Apple’s practice of keeping money earned overseas outside of the United States to avoid domestic taxes. Many other large international companies do this as well. Microsoft and HP have already participated by answering questions and many more companies are expected to do so. Some government officials would like to find a way for companies like Apple to bring this cash into the United States. Currently the large resulting tax bill would go against shareholder interests.

“I’m very disappointed. In the past you have scored 95% or better on your tests. But this time you scored only 94%. I’m going to have to call your parents.”
Stock market analysts would not make good grade school teachers.

There are a variety of ways to export a photo from iPhoto. Using the File, Export function you can decide which file format to use and set the quality and size. Learn how to use the various options and see a comparison between image quality settings.

Rulers and guides can be found in page layout and graphics apps. You can use them to precisely align objects on a page. Learning to use rulers and guides can make it easier and quicker to create professional designs. You can use them in apps like Pages, Keynote, Pixelmator, Photoshop and more.

You can set custom vibration patterns for your iPhone to use in addition to custom ringtones. You can use these vibrations to tell who is calling you, or what type of alert you have received. You can also set your phone to blink the LED flash so you can see an alert in addition to hearing and feeling it. You can turn off vibrations and silence your phone and still see the LED alert.

Adobe has been offering its suite of apps by subscription for a while now. But this week Adobe announced future versions will only be available through their Creative Cloud service by paying a monthly or annual fee, not as products purchased once per version release. Microsoft switched to a similar model this year for Mac users, offering their apps as part of Office 365, a subscription service.
The advantages of subscribing rather than buying are many: frequent smaller updates can be rolled out instead of major releases every one or two years, large upgrade purchases can be avoided, apps can be installed and removed from computers easily, and often these subscription licenses allow for installation on more than one computer. But overall costs can be higher, especially for those that did not regularly buy new versions in the past.
Apple’s Mac App Store is a slightly different cloud-based model, where software is still purchased with a single payment. But otherwise, it is similar to a subscription model since apps can be moved and re-installed easily, put on multiple machines, and minor updates tend to come frequently instead of major updates at longer intervals.

Can you name some of the hardships the pioneers experienced on the Oregon Trail?
We drove out west last summer on vacation. It was horrible. Sometimes no LTE, just 3G or Edge network!

Apple uses cat names to represent versions of OS X. It is important to know both the cat name and the version number of OS X that you are using. Sometimes you will hear or read the cat name, and sometimes the version number. So knowing which ones match which is important.

Learn how to use the keyboard to move between fields, menus and checkboxes in forms on web pages. Knowing these shortcuts can save you a lot of time if you need to fill out forms often.

You can use a graphics program like Pixelmator to add some semi-transparent text to your photos before uploading them. Adjusting the color and opacity of the text will make sure the text doesn't interfere with the photo's content, unless you want it to.