MacMost: Archives

Often people want to know how they can change the default font in Pages. But there is no default font. Instead, when you create a new document you are using a template, often the template named Blank. So if you'd rather start with a different font, then just create a new template that is a variation of the Blank one, and use that template instead.

Reports are coming in that many people today had to verify their ID to log into their Apple accounts today. Both Apple Insider and MacRumors are reporting this, though headlines make it seem as if people are “locked out” of their accounts, when in fact they have simply been logged out of their accounts and need to verify their ID and/or change passwords to get back in. (more...)

With the new MacBook Air the MacBook line is stable for the next few months, making this a good time to buy a new MacBook. But which one is right for you? The MacBook is the lightest, the MacBook Air is the least expensive and good middle-ground, and the MacBook Pro is the most powerful with several major options. There are several factors that can help you decide. You should always make a trip to a store to compare them for yourself as there is no substitute for hands-on experience.

If you have the Dock set to automatically hide, then you may not like the default amount of time it takes for the Dock to appear, and the speed of the animation. You can customize these by using the Terminal to change two hidden macOS preferences. You can delay the appearance of the Dock so that you can access other items at the bottom of your screen. You can also speed up or eliminate the animation if you find it is too slow for you.

Years ago, one of the places you could buy Macs was at Amazon.com. But since then all you may find was a handful of odd resellers with used and older models, a few select items from Apple resellers, and a small selection from Apple. But that will change soon as CNET is reporting an official deal between Apple and Amazon. (more...)

Learn how to build a simple Siri Shortcut that will choose an item from a Reminders list and speak that item aloud. In this example, the Shortcut will get a random item from a list of chores.

This is something I created for my Mojave course that I also wanted to share with my newsletter subscribers. It is a one-page PDF that you can print with quick how-to tips for macOS. These are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions from Mac users. The descriptions are very short and meant to quickly guide you to a solution, rather than provide a detailed step-by-step explanation.

Prior to High Sierra there was a Finder sidebar item called All My Files. This showed you a big list of all of your documents. This was replaced with the Recents list, which only shows documents you have opened and leaves out files you have created or downloaded, but haven't opened yet. You can easily re-create the All My Files list by making a Smart Folder and adding it to the Finder sidebar. You can customize this Smart Folder to better fit your needs.

The new Pages 7.3 released today gives writers the ability to publish a book directly from Pages to Apple Books. The new option in the File menu hooks directly into your iTunes Connect account if you have set yourself up as an Apple Books creator. Previously Apple offered a separate app, iBooks Author for this, which is still the only way to produce books that use some advanced features. (more...)

If your Mac is too old to install macOS Mojave, you can still upgrade to the latest version of macOS that is compatible with it, even if you can't find those versions of macOS in the Mac App Store. Apple has pages for High Sierra, Sierra and El Capitan than include links directly to the hidden Mac App Store pages with those downloads.

A new feature of the Facebook app is the ability to take portrait mode photos from an iPhone X and post them as 3D photos. Right now to do this you need to have the latest Facebook app and enable this feature. It simply uses the multiple layers of the portrait photo to create a simple 3D effect as you move your phone, or move the cursor over the image on a computer.

Apple News on iOS and Mac will be covering the election results live with a special feature beginning tomorrow evening. According to TechCrunch the Apple News Midterm Elections section will switch to Election Night with news coverage hand-picked by editors from a variety of news source and up-to-the-minute results from the Associated Press. (more...)

Multitasking on the iPad has been around for a while, but now you can actually view more than two apps on the screen at the same time. While two active apps can exist side-by-side, or one as a floating window, you can have two apps plus a floating window with iOS 12. Unfortunately, the floating window makes the two main apps view-only. You can even add a fourth window as a video picture-in-picture.

Apple’s third-quarter financial results beat estimates and set records, but iPhone sales were below estimates. In after-hours trading the stock was down, and opened down on Friday. (more...)

Your Mac as a password generator built into the Keychain Access utility. It takes a few steps to access, but it can be handy to generate passwords outside of Safari or in unusual situations. You can vary the length and type of password and copy and paste the result.

You can easily add captions and other elements to a photo right in the Photos app on your Mac. While there doesn't appear to be a captioning tool in Photos, you can edit a photo and use the default Markup extension to add text without leaving the app. You can always revert to the original photo or go back and edit your caption.

Over the last few years Apple has been rolling out AppleCare+ to more devices and countries. AppleCare+ is more expensive than standard AppleCare but provides the opportunity to get your device repaired when you have an accident, for a much smaller price than normal. And Apple just added this service to Canada, Mexico and much of Europe. (more...)

The new Home app in macOS Mojave allows you to control lights and other devices in your Home. It is a simple extension of the Home app and HomeKit functionality that has already existed in iOS for a while. Now you can control those devices using your Mac too.

Apple announced updates to three of its main products today. A new MacBook Air features a retina display, Touch ID and Thunderbolt 3 ports. The Mac mini is upgraded to use faster processors, more memory and Thunderbolt 3 as well. A new iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes, has Face ID with no Home button and uses USB-C instead of a Lighting port. The new iPad Pro can also use a new Apple Pencil that magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad for charging. All of these devices are available for ordering today and ship next week.

A new feature in iOS 12 allows you to use your iPhone's Live Listen feature with Apple's AirPods, a much cheaper alternative than actual medical device hearing aids. The audio comes from the iPhone's microphone, so you can place your iPhone in a better position to hear someone and leave it there. You can even use it as a way to listen in to what is going on in another room.