iSpace

Released on October 12, 2011, Apple’s iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service which has about one billion users who can store their documents on remote servers for download to iOS, Macintosh or Windows devices. Users can also share and send data to other users, link accounts via AirDrop wireless, as well as manage their Apple devices if these devices are lost or stolen. iCloud replaced Apple’s MobileMe service as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, reminders, iWork documents, photos, ringtones, Visual Voicemails and other data. (more…)

Introduced with OS X Leopard, Time Machine is an Apple’s backup software application distributed with the Apple MacOS. This application is designed to work with the Time Capsule storage product and with other internal and external disk drives. (more…)

Announced on August 30, 2016, Kaby Lake – the new processor by Intel is now available in stores as both an OEM, or as part of desktop and mobile systems. Let’s look and see what that means for us. (more…)

We have already posted about the iPad as a second display for a MacBook. The contraption is interesting and reduet-displayliable but cumbersome and requires an iPad in addition to the MacBook. Besides, working with two displays is a skill to learn and you risk to developing a divergent squint in the process. But tethering a tablet is not the only option. Really, I do not know why Apple is so touchy about touch screens, but their reluctance leaves the door open for other innovating companies. (more…)

iMessage is a messaging service used for exchanging text messages, photos and videos between all iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch. Texts, multimedia messages, and even your location on the map can be shared with persons or groups. iMessage also supports video chats. (more…)

An additional display for a laptop is not a must-have for most chores, but every now and then, additional screen space makes multitasking much easier. For example, you can edit videos and check e-mails at the same time, or display some service technical info for reference while overclocking or coding. If you have a standalone display, then the task is simple: you just plug in your second monitor and go ahead. But, if your only other option is a tablet, having a second display can be a tricky thing to set up. The most popular interface for tethering both devices is Wi-Fi. But, the wireless connection is unstable at the very least, and the interchange between the windows on the two screens can be slow. The wired connection is much more reliable and developing the relevant iOS app was just a question of time. And a team of ex-Apple engineers now offers Duet Display, a nice app to tether your iPad to a MacBook Pro. (more…)

Let’s talk about what the Apple File System (APFS) is, and what it means for computers’ performance. We all know that our files are saved to the storage device, a hard disk drive, or a solid-state drive, or flash drive, whatever. But, the computer doesn’t see it the way that we do. First, it divides any file in little pieces and then stacks it on ‘shelves’, or sectors of the drive. The file system determines how large these sectors can be. Going on with the shelves metaphor, imagine bookcases too shallow, or narrow to house large thick volumes, but instead, fit for booklets. (more…)

There are many ways to take photos with your Mac, and we talk at large about pictures in our Photo Booth and Photos texts. Let’s explain here a few generalities about photographs. (more…)

Developed by Apple, Photo Booth runs on OS X and is a software application for MacOS and iOS built-in iPads and MacBooks. This app is used for taking photos and videos with an iSight camera. (more…)

Anyone with a little bit of know-how, and physical access to your computer, has the ability to access your data. However, you can take measures to protect your privacy. (more…)

Today’s Mac laptops, such as the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, are powered by lithium-ion batteries that last much longer than the batteries found in most PC laptops. However, over the years, all lithium-based batteries gradually lose their ability to hold a decent charge, and finally, the batteries give up completely. If you run your Mac laptop from the battery every day, you may find that it needs to be replaced sooner. This is, unfortunately, quite normal, and is true of PC laptops, iPods, and Macs. Here you can learn more about the battery in your Mac notebook, including how to optimize the battery life, troubleshoot, and have it serviced. New batteries can be purchased from the Apple Store.. (more…)

Apple’s GarageBand is a multitracking tool that comes bundled with your Mac. Multitracking means mixing and editing several separate audio recordings or tracks in one piece of music. GarageBand can be used for basic audio recording, and whatever the tracks contain. Each track can be individually chopped and changed, made louder or softer, and generally edited in many ways.. (more…)

Your Mac can recognize your voice, and play many different sounds. As everyone knows, Macs chirp at start-up, and grunt when the user hits a wrong key. They can offer congratulatory whistles when you save documents, and can play digital music files through programs such as iTunes. They can also record your performances. You can speak to your friends around the world using your Mac, and you can even talk directly to your computer! (more…)

On your Mac, email works in much the same way as on any other computer. You can create an account with an online company, such as Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft’s Hotmail,) or with your Internet Service Provider. Then, you can send and receive messages either through a special email program, or via a webpage. In fact, most ISPs provide at least one email address as part of any Internet access package. These accounts are reliable, free, and they don’t send you ads along with your messages. One disadvantage, however, is that if you ever switch your ISP, you’ll lose the email address. (more…)

Mac OS X comes with Safari, a browser which is equipped with lots of useful features that are impossible to highlight in one article. Safari is an excellent browser, but it’s not the only option to choose from. If you choose another browser for your Mac, that browser will open when you click on things such as a link in an email. (Open Safari, press Safari – Preferences, and go to the option in the General pane). There are pros and cons to each browser available on your Mac. Each browser has something to offer, but few Mac users choose other browsers over Safari. (more…)

OS X offers useful tools for using your printer, such as previewing your printouts and printing PDFs. Many applications feature handy print presets, from greeting-card layouts in iPhoto, to a pocket-sized contacts list in Address Book. The OS X built-in fax feature can also come in handy. (more…)

Your Mac’s Address Book has a few fancy tricks up its sleeve. For example, you can wirelessly move names and numbers back and forth using Bluetooth. (more…)