May 2018
iOS & Apple news
Today, Apple announced 2Q results. The iPhone X remains the most popular model (unlike rumors from analysts before today’s announcements from Apple). `We’re thrilled to report our best March quarter ever, with strong revenue growth in iPhone, Services and Wearables,’ said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. `Customers chose iPhone X more than any other iPhone each week in the March quarter, just as they did following its launch in the December quarter. We also grew revenue in all of our geographic segments, with over 20% growth in Greater China and Japan.`
Here is a summary of today's announcements by Tim Cook.
Here is Apple's revenue breakdown by quarter, reported by Macrumors.
iOS 11 has a high adoption rate, it is on 76% of all active devices, reports iDownloadblog. `To put that in some context, Android 8.0 Oreo, the latest and greatest version of Google’s mobile operating system, is installed on 4.6% of devices and the vast majority is on a version that is at least 3 years behind the latest.
iPhone X owners: a survey shows 97% satisfaction, and 85% are very satisfied. The results are impressive except opinions about Siri.
Review of iPhone 8, by iMore, including the new (PRODUCT)RED, saying it' a better version of what you are already familiar with.
The new 9.7’ iPad (non-pro model) has been out about a month now. See iMore's review , calling the use of Apple Pencil a gamechanger.
Police agents can allegedly crack iPhones protected with passcodes up to 6 numbers. Undoubtedly, Apple is working to improve the security, and undoubtedly, most thieves do not have access to police methods. However, if you are concerned about this, in the meantime, you can increase the length of your passcode. To change your password in iOS: Settings > Face ID & Passcodes > Change Passcode > Passcode Options: Custom Alphanumeric Code.
RIP: Apple Airport base stations will no longer be produced, reports iMore. `AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule will continue to be sold while supplies last.'
A complete teardown of the HomePod, by E&T.
Apple has let a fleet of mapping vehicles scour the US and 10 other countries to collect street views. Hopefully we will see the results reflected in Maps soon.
iOS apps & widgets
Now that Apple Pencil is supported on the new `regular’ iPad, in addition to the Pro iPadline, it’s worth looking at apps that can benefit from it. Not just for drawing. The best Apple Pencil apps that aren't for drawing, listed by Cult of Mac.
Linea is a drawing app for iPads (not for iPhone). It has gotten rave reviews. It's my new favorite drawing app, writes Serenity Caldwell for iMore. It is excellent for writing, sketching, and idea-building, she writes. A very nice feature is that you can write with the Apple Pencil and erase with yoru finger.Here is a look:
Workouts++ is a free app that lets you see your workout data that is in your iPhone and/or Apple Watch. The app provides new ways to view your existing workout data. It's a very nice app and it gives you more information than the native apps. It also comes with an optional Watch companion app.
Bear 1.5 is out with many new features, including: ePub export, customizable TagCons, new themes, new export options, and more.
Bear offers a version of the app for Apple Watch. You can create new notes or append to existing notes on your Watch by dictation, you can check off ToDo's on your Watch.
The new leading ad blocking app has been released, 1Blocker X. It is the follow-on to 1Blocker which was already an excellent app. (The best ad blocker for iPhone and iPad is 1Blocker, wrote Lifehacker, last year. Note that 1Blocker is available for the Mac as well.) Olga points out that this is a paid app and this is a good thing: free ad blockers are usually making money by ads or giving info to advertisers (yes, sadly it's true).
ProtonMail is an email service that provides secure, encrypted communications that protect your privacy. Proton email app for iOS works on iPhones and iPads. The email service is strong on security but easy to use. Read more details about it.
tips & tricks
Did you accidentally delete calendars, or contacts, or reminders, or bookmarks? You can restore them from iCloud. This is a great tip. And it shows yet another reason why you should use iCloud.
Does it seem that your contacts are not syncing via iCloud? It might be because some of them are not on iCloud. Perhaps you have some on a Google account or on your devices. Here are two tips on getting everything to sync well: move them to iCloud.
How to import your Google Contacts into your iCloud account. Note: you may be better off having all your Contacts listed in your iCloud account (for simplicity, or to know where your data is, or for privacy, or all of the above). Also note that after you do this, you will need to turn off Google sync with Google contacts.
How to move your Contacts from `on my iPhone' to iCloud. Another good tip, especially if you use more than one device and want to sync your contacts across all devices.
Two Tips for autocorrect on a Mac:
If you are tired of autocorrect on your Mac in general, you can go to Mac System Preferences > Language & Region > Keyboard Preferences > Text and deselect Correct spelling automatically.
If you want to leave autocorrect On for most applications on your Mac, but want to turn it off for a specific application, the steps you need to take depend on the application. For example, if you are using Apple Notes, or Bear, or Evernote to take notes, go to Edit > Spelling and Grammar, and deselect Correct Spelling Automatically.
How to change your email address associated with your Apple ID, writes iMore.
How to reduce your cellphone addiction, tips from the NY Times.
Confused about multiple ID's you have for getting iMessages? Most people have at least a couple. You can receive texts at all your addresses, and here is How to pick a reply address in iOS and macOS.
Some apps offer subscription-based access to their services or content. Here is how to view, change or cancel your subscriptions.
gadgets & accessories
An innovative iPhone dock is lives up to its claim of best iPhone dock, writes 9to5Mac in its review. Take a look: