MacMost: Archives

Apple IDs can now be made more secure by using the two-step verification process. This involves changing your Apple ID account and added secure devices, like your phone, to the process. In order to make changes to your account, like a new password, you would then need to verify your identity by using your device in conjunction with your password. This makes it much harder for someone to gain access to your account.

Have a look at using a real guitar with GarageBand for iPad. You can filter your guitar to make it sound like you are using a wide variety of amplifiers, pedals and settings. Also look at how you can record vocals. You can also use a microphone to record samples to play on the keyboard.

The secondary click is also known as a right click or control click. It is commonly used to access context menus and special software functions. You can determine how you create a secondary click by looking at the TrackPad and Mouse sections of System Preferences. But you can always use the Control key to change a primary click into a secondary one.

Apple released OS X 10.8.3 this week with many bug fixes. In addition, there is now support for Windows 8 running under Boot Camp and using your Mac’s camera to read iTunes gift cards in the Mac App Store. The update also includes Safari 6.0.3 with performance improvements and bug fixes. A complete list of information can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5612.
You can get the update if you are using Mountain Lion by choosing Software Update from the Apple menu at the top left.
Apple also upgraded GarageBand for iOS with support for the third-party app Audiobus that allows you to filter live audio through multiple apps.

“I just bought an iTouch and an iMac mini. What’s the first thing I should learn about them?”
“The correct names.”

For most users the best way to manage photos on an iPhone is to download your Camera Roll photos on to your Mac in iPhoto, treating your Camera Roll like a normal digital camera. Then create albums in iPhoto and sync those back to your iPhone to have a selection of photos to carry with you.

Learn how to use the Keyboards and Smart Keyboard instruments in GarageBand for iPad. You can choose from dozens of different keyboard instruments, each with its own set of features and controls. You can use scales and chords to easily make usable sequences of notes for your songs.

You can use your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to take time-lapse photography easily with the help of an app. You need to think about which device to use, and how to set it up. Then you have many choices to make in the app settings. You can get the app here: http://macmost.com/a-536495161.

It was another quiet news week, with only very minor updates to Apple’s iOS office apps and Apple Maps.
A new iMac option appeared in the Apple Store this week with a full set of VESA mount iMacs. These models have hardware on the back to let them connect to special wall mounts or desk stands, rather than the normal iMac stand hardware. Four such mounts are available through the online Apple Store when you purchase an iMac, while others can be purchased elsewhere. VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) mounts refers to an industry standard. Computer and screen companies can make their devices VESA mount compatible so they will work with any third-party mount that uses the same standard. Apple had offeredVESA mount versions in previous generations of iMacs.
Rumors this week focused on the financial side of Apple, with some buzz around the idea that Apple may increase its shareholder dividend or enlarge its stock buyback efforts.

“Can I get an avocado slice on my burger? The green will add some nice color for the picture I’ll post to Facebook.”

You have two primary options to backup your iOS device. You can backup to your computer, or backup using iCloud. Most people will want to backup to their computer. But frequent travelers and those without a computer will want to use the iCloud method. You can also backup to both.

Learn how to use the smart bass and smart guitar instruments in GarageBand for iPad. You can play a variety of basses and guitars using single touches on virtual strings, or by using chord mode or autoplay mode. You can then record your playing into tracks to mix with other instruments.

The Finder's Column View may be the most versatile and useful. It allows you to see the current folder, and ones above it. It also gives you a preview of the file selected. You can quickly move between folders with arrow keys and it is easy to move files from one folder to another.

Apple news this week was dominated by stronger rumors of a new wristwatch product. Rumor blogs have been reporting that the device will come out later this year. While some believe this will be simply an iPhone accessory, extending the iPhone’s functionality as a Bluetooth device, other reports paint a picture of a completely independent iOS device to stand next to the iPhone and iPad. It is important to remember that these are just rumors, and more often than not such rumors do not pan out.
Other rumors this week focused on release timeframes for new iPads, making conservative predictions of new models coming either this spring or in the fall. Also, there are rumors of an iPhone 5S coming out in the fall, a safe bet considering Apple has produced a new model every year.

“I’ve got a completely original idea for a game app.”
“Tell me about it.”
“It’s basically Angry Birds meets Fruit Ninja meets Dragonvale.”

Often people think about syncing data between devices in the wrong way. iCloud allows you not so much to sync data, as to access a common source of data. Viewing your contacts on your Mac or iPhone is similar to viewing a web page in that the data is on a server, and the app you are using is just accessing it.

GarageBand for iPad is a fun and useful app where you can build your own music. In this episode, we'll look at the two ways you can create drum loops. You can build them with a grid using the Smart Drums function. You can also play a virtual set of drums and record the session. Afterward, you can edit the drums beat for beat.

You can do much more with a Google search than just enter plain search terms. You can use modifiers like quotes, dashes and asterisks to search for more specific things. You can also search on a particular web site or for specific terms in a page title. There are also many bits of information that you can find without having to leave Google, such as definitions, weather, movie times, flight times and conversions.

Apple held its annual shareholder’s meeting this week, and it was largely uneventful. Answering questions, Apple CEO Tim Cook did reiterate that Apple is looking to create new products in new categories. In addition, Apple is planning to move into its new 2.8 million square foot building in 2016.
In other news, it is being reported that Mac sales in January were strong after a week December causes by stock shortages. The new iMac was only available in limited numbers in December, but is now shipping in 2-3 weeks according to the online Apple store.

“We have more than 200 different iPhone cases to choose from.”
“I don’t know if I like any of these. Are there more in the back?”