Innehållsförteckning för August 2023 från MacLife

> HI–FI FROM SPOTIFY Spotify is reportedly ready to roll out a more expensive subscription tier that offers “high–fidelity” music. Spotify announced it was working on a “HiFi” feature in 2021 but delayed its rollout when Apple Music and Amazon Music both began offering high–quality tracks as standard. Apple Music also offers Spatial Audio, which is not available from Spotify, but some users prefer the Spotify interface and experience. Bloomberg reports that the new tier will launch this year, but outside the US first. > AIRPLAY IN HOTELS WITH LG At WWDC in June, Apple announced that AirPlay support will be available in selected hotels “before the end of the year,” enabling you to use a QR code to connect and play your own content or mirror your Apple device.…

HE ROOTS OF virtual reality can be traced T back to 3D games and software where the environment is viewed from a first-person perspective. And these didn’t start with Doom either. Which was the first such title is disputed; it’s either space shooter Spasim or the blaster Maze War, both of which were released around 1974. They weren’t actually virtual reality, of course. The gamer played them on a computer screen, just like any other game. But it’s here one of its key features was established; the environment was viewed through the player’s eyes, instead of their being represented as an on–screen avatar. Later first–person games included the ZX81’s 3D Monster Maze, Wolfenstein 3D and, of course, Doom. From these basic first–person video games, the first–person shooter genre eventually took shape.…

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND Vision Pro looks great, but as Apple is well aware, tech is a means to an end not an end in itself. What will the company’s first spatial computer be used for? And how will it find its place in the modern home and office? With apps like Safari, Keynote, Calendar, Messages, Notes, Freeform, the Microsoft Office suite and more, Vision Pro could be a real boon for work, and not just for remote video meetings. You can, for example, use the Messages app to send 3D images as well as regular missives, pulling them out of the app and exploring them in your own space. This is great for industrial designers, architects and engineers, for example, and others who might need to share prototypes. It could…

EVERY NEW TECHNOLOGY has its own assortment of jargon and technical terms that we all have to try to learn and understand. Computers have CPUs and GPUs, headphones have “decibels” and “frequency response,” and Wi-Fi routers have truly mind–boggling jargon like “orthogonal frequency division multiple access” — which is kind of the Wi–Fi equivalent of “everything, everywhere, all at once.” However, the term “IP” is one that cuts right across different product categories and technologies, and can be applied to a wide range of different devices. In fact, those two letters — IP — actually have multiple meanings, ranging from Internet Protocol to the Intellectual Property involved in so many legal battles these days. However, the version of IP that we’re looking at here refers to Ingress Protection, and it’s a…

There’s a trope in TV dramas where doctors or paramedics battle off–screen to save a beloved character before returning to break the bad news to their loved ones: “We did everything we could,” they’ll say, “but it just wasn’t enough.” It’s a bit like that with some Macs, albeit with less tears or cheesy acting. But just because an old Mac is on its way out doesn’t mean it can’t live on in our hearts, or as part of our home decor. It turns out there’s an awful lot you can do with an old Mac, even if it’s completely stopped working. If your Mac is old rather than broken, one thing you can do is run a different operating system on it — either through emulating an old macOS or…

WHEN APPLE FIRST launched Time Machine, it pitched it as a way to roll your Mac back to an earlier point in time, before you made changes to, or deleted, files. With a skeuomorphic interface typical of Apple at the time, invoking Time Machine seemed to enable you to travel back in time via Finder windows from an earlier age, or at least a few days ago. The skeuomorphic time travel has gone, but Time Machine’s interface remains much the same, displaying stacked Finder windows and arrows to “travel” back and forth. When you find the date you want, you can then navigate the Finder as if you were back to that date, then find and restore the files you have changed or deleted. Time Machine is now integral to…

$59 From https://ifi-audio.com Features USB–C interface, with USB–A and Lightning adaptors; Audio support — 32–bit/384kHz, MQA, DSD; Dimensions — 5.3” x 0.5” x 0.3”, 0.4oz IT’S TAKEN A few years, but more and more people are now opting to use a DAC—digital–analog converter — to get the best audio quality when listening to high–res or spatial audio. The iFi range of DACs provides high–quality sound at competitive prices, and its new Go Link is the most affordable — and most portable — DAC we’ve seen so far. Small enough to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand, the Go Link is solidly built, with a magnesium alloy casing and braided cable that are sturdy enough to cope with being squashed into a pocket or bag when traveling. There’s a…

$139.99 From www.cherry-world.com Features Four polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional and stereo), included shock mount and tripod stand, RGB lighting, gain control, mute button, 3.5mm headphone jack with volume control, braided USB–C to USB–A cable THERE AREN’T MANY RGB–infused USB microphones out there, but Cherry’s new UM 9.0 Pro RGB microphone brings the light show to your desk. The Cherry’s mouthful of a mic feels absolutely solid, with the easily adjustable stand being cast from sturdy metal. That said, Cherry’s device trades portability for durability, and it’s a pretty sizeable microphone that won’t pack up small for travel. If you need a compact mic for the road, you might want to look elsewhere. There’s a built–in shock mount to help reduce unwanted noise and vibrations, which could make all the…

THE APPLE VISION Pro headset is absolutely crammed with clever tech. In classic Apple style, very little of it is brand new tech we haven’t seen before on some prototype or niche headset that was dead on arrival, but Apple has been able to bring it all together into something that feels complete. There is one thing I haven’t seen before, though: EyeSight. This is the screen on the outside of the Vision Pro that basically shows a recreation of your eyes inside the headset. It is weird, it is kind of dystopian in its general vibe, and it’s also a brilliant solution to a genuine problem. EYESIGHT IS AN AFFORDANCE THAT MIXES SOFTWARE AND PHYSICAL CUES Long–time readers may remember that I’ve written here before about “affordances.” In software,…

Limit the number of administrator accounts Apple recommends using mostly standard user accounts. Only admins can download and install software, reducing the risk of malware spreading. Run antivirus software This can spot any nasty software you may have downloaded, hopefully stopping you installing it before it becomes a problem. It can also clean your computer if you do install something problematic. Check sender or developer It is worth double–checking who an email is from. Do you know the sender? Is this their real email address? Similarly, make sure software you install is from a known, trustworthy company. Use a VPN A VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN creates a secure internet connection. This offers an extra layer of protection, particularly if you’re using public Wi–Fi in a coffee shop, airport, etc.…

When the Legend Quest virtual reality arcade opened in 1992, there was nothing else like it. Four gamers played together using VR headsets, with motion tracking and hand controllers to look after movement and actions. The player stood inside a circular barrier while playing, to make sure they didn’t trip over anything in the real world while they explored the virtual one. The hardware used was based on seven enhanced Amiga 3000 computers. It could move 30,000 flat–shaded polygons at 20 frames per second with a maximum of 250 objects, though it slowed when there was too much happening on the screen. The helmet, which contained motion tracking technology to see which way you were facing, completely covered the eyes with a small viewing screen in front of each eyeball.…

VisionOS is instantly familiar to anyone who’s used an iPhone or an iPad. Apps are presented as icons, but you open and close them with hand gestures and voice commands instead of tapping a screen. Some of the apps will also be familiar to existing Apple fans, as will their functions and features. The Photos app, for example, syncs with your iCloud data and shows your pictures and videos, crystal clear and imposed on your physical space. You’re no longer limited by the size of your screen. You can make your apps any size you want.…

> Remove an RSR update After installing a Rapid Security Response (RSR) for Ventura, Safari won’t connect to some of my key websites. How can I remove that RSR? RSRs are hot fixes that aren’t as thoroughly tested as regular macOS updates, so do carry a risk that they could cause problems for some. To counter that, Apple makes them easily uninstallable. Before deciding that’s your best solution, see if you can settle those problems. If your Mac hasn’t started up since installing the RSR, restart it, as that can make some issues vanish. If they persist, start your Mac up in Safe mode, leave it running for a couple of minutes, then restart back into normal mode. If after trying those the problems remain sufficiently obstructive that you still…

Today’s Macs aren’t very upgradable, especially if they run Apple silicon: on an M1 or M2 chip, the graphics, memory and processor are all on the same, non–replaceable chip and the SSD is not user accessible or replaceable. But older Macs are much more accommodating and Intel–based Macs are relatively easy to upgrade. With memory upgrades you’ll need to know not just the supported maximum memory but the type of RAM too and what configurations your particular Mac supports. Many manufacturers will help you with this, so for example www.crucial.com has a good memory finder for Macs. As you’ll see from these examples, upgrading your Mac requires a bit of work, but it’s not too difficult providing you have the right tools. These will typically include a small Phillips screwdriver and,…

APPLE FIRST LAUNCHED Time Machine 15 years ago in an attempt to make it as easy as possible for Mac users to back up regularly, and be able to restore anything from a single file to their entire Mac with the minimum of fuss. Time Machine was launched alongside a neat piece of Apple hardware known as Time Capsule, which combined an AirPort router and a hard drive. The idea was that you would use the networked hard drive with Time Machine to back up portable Macs wirelessly. Time Capsule was discontinued in 2018, but Time Machine lives on and was overhauled following the introduction of the Apple File System (APFS) in macOS Sierra. You can use any locally connected hard drive or SSD as a destination for Time Machine…

APPLE HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE “WORLD’S BEST–SELLING LAPTOP” AND SUPER–SIZED IT $1,299 From www.apple.com Features Apple M2 chip, 8GB unified memory (16GB/24GB available), 15.3in Liquid Retina display (2,880 x 1,864), 256GB storage (512GB/1TB/2TB available), Wi–Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax Wi–Fi), Bluetooth 5.3, 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, MagSafe 3 port, 3.5mm headphone jack NOW HERE’S A SURPRISE: Apple has taken everything we know about the “world’s best–selling laptop” and super–sized it, increasing the dimensions of its Liquid Retina display from 13.6–inch to 15.3–inch. That’s brilliant news for anyone who wants a big–screen laptop from Apple but can’t afford the current 14–inch and 16–inch MacBook Pro (which start at $1,999 and $2,499 respectively). The MacBook Air 15–inch starts at $1,299. That entry–level price nets you a slim, stylish and beautifully…

$249.99 From www.anker.com Features Dimensions — 21.26” x 8.66” x 3.54“; 3x USB–C, 3x USB–A, SD/micro–SD, 1x HDMI, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x audio in/out, 1x Qi wireless charger Needs macOS 10.14 or later AS STYLISH AS Apple’s Mac designs are, they’re often something of an ergonomic disaster, with monitors that don’t allow you to adjust the height of the screen and many models suffering from a shortage of ports and connectors. Anker’s new 675 dock is a little pricey, but it aims to solve all those problems by providing an impressive set of ports and other features, while also doubling up as a convenient monitor stand. The Anker 675 is quite large and has its own chunky power supply unit as well, so you’ll need a fair bit of desk…

Nick, “New is not new anymore” is exactly why I am so frustrated. Underpowered base models, outrageous upgrade prices for larger memory and SSDs, and what I believe is deliberate downgrade performance in base model SSDs to force you to spend more. Improvement? The testing on the M1 base SSDs outperforms the new model from what I have read. How does that happen? Just like your desk, office, and the environment affect your productivity, I need a change to inspire creativity. Darn, I have to sit in front of that computer for hours. Anyway, thanks for saying something that a lot of people are thinking and has probably stayed hidden from their marketing. It’s so refreshing to see journalism and critiques instead of just telling Apple how great they are!…

Vision Pro faces some stiff competition from the leading virtual reality options already available. PlayStation VR, for example, is relatively affordable, runs quality, ambitious games and is comfortable to wear. The HTC Vive Pro 2 is more expensive, needs a decent–specced PC, and can look a little foggy at times, but its hardware is very comfortable to wear and overall picture clarity is good. The Valve Index is another VR system that needs a PC; it still doesn’t support macOS. It’s prohibitively expensive too, costing $999. But if you’re serious about virtual reality, it has excellent picture quality, a superb 130–degree field of vision and some of the best controllers available on a home VR system. The very affordable Samsung Gear VR was once a no–brainer if you had a…

As with most recent Apple products, communication is at the heart of Vision Pro. FaceTime calls are catered for, with each participant in the video conversation appearing in a different tile. You can scale and position the tiles however you please, and to make conversation more natural, the device’s spatial audio features make it appear that each person’s voice is coming from the location of their tile. You can use your Vision Pro to create a very realistic digital avatar of yourself. This allows others to see your face while you’re wearing Vision Pro in a video chat, dynamically following your head and hand movements.…

Although visionOS is a completely new platform, its frameworks and tools are already familiar to Apple mobile developers. So despite being new, it shouldn’t be a major challenge to program visionOS apps for the headset. visionOS apps can include one or more windows, which are built with SwiftUI. As well as traditional controls, developers add depth with 3D content. Apple’s 3D rendering engine, RealityKit, is used for 3D content, animations, and visual effects. ARKit understands your surroundings and powers core system capabilities that apps automatically benefit from when they’re in the Shared Space. Games programmers can use Unity, which has access to the benefits of visionOS, making titles created on the platform look right at home. This low entry bar should work in Apple’s favor, reducing the commitment required, and…

MACWHISPER IS A clever AI-powered app for Mac that quickly and accurately transcribes spoken text from live audio, recordings, and videos. It has been trained on nearly 700,000 hours of audio data, and unlike online transcription services it runs natively on Mac so it’s always available. Unusually for a free app, MacWhisper (goodsnooze.gumroad.com) doesn’t keep its best features locked away or blast you with ads. It simply gets on with the job, and the only real limitation is that you don’t get its very best language models, and text and subtitles output doesn’t include HTML or PDF. CLEVER RECOGNITION There’s lots to like here, including in-place text editing and the ability to separate your transcript by speaker if there’s more than one person in it — great for transcribing meetings, podcasts,…

REDDIT IS THE 10th most–visited website in the world. Whether you’re looking for Logic Pro tips, air fryer advice or funny photos of dogs, there’s a subreddit about it. But that sheer sprawl can make the main website intimidating. That’s where Apollo comes in. It’s designed for iOS, iPadOS and macOS, and it’s here to make Reddit simpler and easier to use. In this tutorial, we’re going to use the free version of Apollo on iPad because that makes for the clearest screenshots, but it’s actually best–suited to your iPhone where it doesn’t have quite so much white space; the developers admit that the iPad version is “a work in progress”. It’s easy to find and view all kinds of content, reply to others, change the way the app works and…

One of the most important things you can do with your Mac is keep it up to date, and for current versions of macOS and Mac apps that’s usually straightforward: just ensure automatic software updates are available for both your operating system and your apps, and you’re good to go. But things become more complex with older software, such as operating systems that Apple no longer supports or apps that the developer doesn’t. In some cases, you can find an alternative to now–defunct apps, but what if you need to access files made in an app that Apple no longer lets you run? Apple locked out 32–bit apps in macOS 10.15 (Catalina), but you can still run them in emulators such as Parallels, VirtualBox or Retroactive (https://bit.ly/3qX125S). That last one’s particularly…

Have a 2017 MacBook Air and want Ventura on it? Sorry, you’re out of luck: it, and all Macs made before 2017, aren’t supported. So why does Apple end operating system support for perfectly good computers? Part of the answer is undoubtedly to sell new Macs. But there are more important factors here. Operating systems can encounter issues with new software or newly discovered security flaws, and fixing those issues costs money. And then there are device drivers, the little bits of code that enable your Mac to talk to crucial components that are often made by third parties — AMD or Intel for GPUs, Broadcom for Wi–Fi radios and so on. Those third parties don’t keep updating their drivers forever, and when their updates stop that threatens the stability…

TIME MACHINE CREATES incremental backups of your Mac. This means that every time a backup runs, it copies only the files that have changed since the previous backup. It saves snapshots of your data once every hour for the previous 24 hours, once a day for the past month, and once a week for all previous months. That way, you can roll your Mac back to the state it was in at any point in the previous 24 hours, as well as recover files that were deleted a month ago. Time Machine keeps monthly backups until it runs out of storage space, at which point it deletes the oldest. As well as using Time Machine to recover files, you can use it with macOS Recovery when you reinstall macOS to…

Free; $4.99/month; $29.99/year; $99.99 lifetime From www.pixelmator.com Needs macOS 13.0 or later THE TEAM BEHIND Pixelmator Photo has used the update to version 3 to rebrand the app as Photomator, adding a bunch of new features at the same time. It syncs to your Photos library and stores edits nondestructively in the cloud, meaning you can always undo changes and your photos will be accessible to the app both on the Mac and on iOS. Your purchase also unlocks the iOS versions and while the Mac app is free to download and use, you only get three saves before you’ll have to choose a purchase option to make any more. It supports RAW files and is generally pretty snappy in operation even when working with large images. You get a selection…