Inhoudsopgave van June 2023 - MacFormat

Apple’s week-long World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off on Monday 5 June and rumours are already circulating about what to expect – from an augmented reality/ mixed reality/virtual reality headset to (finally) a brand new Mac Pro. While there remains some doubt about whether either or both those things will appear, other things are more certain – namely first-looks at the next big operating system updates for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch: macOS, iOS, iPadOS and watchOS. Although rumours suggest that watchOS will get the biggest overhaul, we’re hoping that the successor to Ventura gets some love too. Apple Mail could certainly do with some more polish as could the Music app – it’s still much too similar to the old iTunes app for our liking and, despite…

Future AirPods cases may have some interesting functionality, according to a new Apple patent. The patent shows a case with a built-in display on the front, which could be used to control playback, adjust volume, change audio sources, and more. The display might feature haptic feedback, helping you know whether your presses have been successful even when you’re not looking. You might even be able to squeeze the case to do things like enable the device’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes.  Since this is a patent, it may never come to fruition. But it is an interesting glimpse into a possible AirPods future.…

Apple has reportedly demonstrated its upcoming mixedreality headset – dubbed Reality Pro – to a group of its top 100 executives in the company’s Steve Jobs Theater, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. The large scale move suggests that the headset is almost ready to launch. While Apple has been holding in-person headset briefings for its executives for several years, these have tended to be low-key affairs. The event in the Steve Jobs Theater, meanwhile, was “polished, glitzy, and exciting”, according to Gurman. That said, there are apparently worries about the device within Apple. A New York Times report has claimed that some Apple employees are concerned about its price (around $3,000), utility, and the state of the headset market. According to the report, even some of Apple’s executives are discontented…

£12.49 Storyteller seems simple on its premise: You start with a title, characters and a setting and must conjure a story in a few panels from those elements. Yet its blank canvases leave you plenty of room for creativity, and finding the right combination for the story to play out is can be deliciously tricky. Why you need it: It’s full of creative puzzle solving.…

Are you confident that your Mac running to its maximum efficiency? Is it still the powerhouse of modern computing it was when you first bought it, or has it gradually been cluttered with duplicates, spacehogging data and endless media? If your Mac’s internal drive is groaning under the weight of endless files, it’s likely to run slower as there’s less space to use as virtual memory. So it’s always wise to keep tabs on what you have on your machine, and declutter it regularly to make sure you’re not storing stuff you don’t need. And are you using its timesaving and organisation features to the fullest? The Mac has all sorts of things to help you keep on top of your work, with some great tools for the Finder and…

IT WILL TAKE > 40 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > To install Windows 11 on a silicon Mac YOU’LL NEED > Apple Mac (M1 chip or later,) Windows 11, Parallels Desktop 18 (£89.99, parallels.com) If you want to run Windows applications on Apple silicon, then you don’t need to find a workaround any more. Although BootCamp remains off the table for M1 and M2 Macs, Microsoft is now officially supporting the ARM version of Windows 11 on these computers and this enables you to easily run Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise through virtualisation software. While you could use Windows 365 Cloud PC, we prefer Parallels Desktop 18. It has many handy features, such as letting you run Mac and Windows apps side-by-side and drag-anddrop files. It’s also quick to…

IT WILL TAKE > 15 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > How to make great music, even if you can’t play an instrument YOU’LL NEED > Launchpad (Free, with IAPs), iOS/ iPadOS 15 or later We love making music, but learning instruments isn’t quick or easy. That’s why we’re so fond of GarageBand’s magic instruments, and of Launchpad. Both apps enable you to experience and share the sheer joy of music without the whole sore-fingers frustration of traditional music-making. That’s not to say serious musicians can’t use them either. They can and many of them do. But as we’ll discover in this tutorial, when you have an app like Launchpad, you can create music in any genre pretty much immediately, and that opens up music making to many more people. If…

From £329.99 (16GB, Basic Pen) FROM amazon.co.uk FEATURES 10.2-inch display, 300ppi, auto-adjusting front light, 16/32/64GB, USB-C, Basic pen It’s easy to get your books and documents on and off the device VERDICT A brilliant big-screen Kindle, but there aren’t many writing features here. Big, clear display Excellent battery life Few writing features for academics Expensive when bought as an ereader The Kindle Scribe is a large-screen Kindle with a pen included, allowing you to write on it, though it’s basic in that respect – more so than competing tablets like the reMarkable 2. A Premium Pen is available (£47.99 extra), offering an eraser and a shortcut button, which are useful additions if you need them. If you want to read books on a largescreen Kindle, the Scribe is an easy…

£249.99 FROM anker.com/uk FEATURES 3x USB-C, 3x USB-A, SD/microSD, 1x HDMI, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x audio in/out, 1x Qi wireless charger; 540x220x90mm VERDICT The reliance on HDMI for video output may deter some, but the Anker 675 is a good dock/ stand for general use. + Lots of ports and connectors + Smart design + Includes Qi charging pad - Video output via HDMI only 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 – unless you pay extra – and many models also suffering from a shortage of ports and connectors. Anker’s new 675 dock is pricey, at £249.99, but it aims to solve those problems by providing an impressive…

£19.99 (for iPad; universal licence £169.99) FROM affinity.serif.com NEEDS iPadOS 15 or later The minimal interface can be completely removed for a full-screen view of your work Apro-grade DTP app on the iPad? It’s true. The release of the second version of the Affinity creative suite has seen Serif take a step it chose not to with the previous iteration, which saw the Affinity Designer vector illustration app and the Photo image-editing app move to touchscreen town, but not Affinity Publisher. Affinity Publisher 2, therefore, has something to prove. Happily, it largely manages to show that having a full creative suite on an iPad is a good idea, and Apple’s introduction of Stage Manager into iPadOS couldn’t have come at a better time. While it’s probably still best to…

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) typically sees A the company focus on its upcoming software releases, but this year plenty of new hardware is expected too. With the week-long event starting on Monday 5 June 2023, there’s not long to wait. One of the most significant products expected to appear at WWDC is the company’s long-rumoured mixed-reality headset, apparently named Reality Pro. This will combine virtual reality with augmented reality and enable you to switch between the two modes using a Digital Crown-like dial. Previous rumours have suggested the device will come with ultra high definition displays, hand- and eye-tracking capabilities, a plethora of cameras, and a very lightweight design. All that tech will make it one of the most advanced headsets on the market. However, it’s also expected to…

Tired of losing track of everything you’ve got to do? Planny 8 is a great way to bring order to chaos and gain more control over what’s on your plate. And it’s just had one of its biggest updates yet. By combining tasks with your calendar, Planny’s goal is to ensure you actually achieve your goals, not just write them down and forget about them. Its latest version includes built-in GPT-4 integration to automatically suggest new tasks and notes to help you get more organised than ever. As well as that, it can conjure up daily workflows so you know exactly what to tackle and when. There’s a new focus timer mode, a simplified menu, and a streamlined new interface that is more user friendly and easier to use than…

Vive XR Elite >£1,299 > From vive.com/uk > While the tech world gets in a flurry about Apple’s rumoured mixed reality (MR) headset, HTC has gone ahead and unveiled its own version: the Vive XR Elite. It’s clearly taking shots at the Meta Quest Pro and aiming for the flagship headset crown. As the ‘mixed reality’ term suggests, the Vive XR Elite combines virtual reality (which immerses you in a digital realm) with augmented reality (which overlays data onto the real world). It features four 4K displays with 90Hz refresh rates, a modular design that can be either battery powered or tethered, and adjustable lenses that are able to accommodate glasses wearers, letting you leave your spectacles behind. With all that and much more, Apple could have its work…

It’s never too late to start making regular backups of your precious files and while Time Machine can be useful, there is a better way: Synology networkattached storage (NAS) with Active Backup for Business. With a Synology NAS linked to your home network and Synology’s Active Backup for Business, you’ll easily be able to back up all of your devices to a single storage location, then manage and access those backups wherever you are via its web browser-based interface – handy for those times when you need to retrieve a file you’ve either forgotten or accidentally deleted when you’re away from home. Complete control A Synology NAS with Active Backup for Business is a great alternative to Time Machine in many ways. Not only does it enable you to choose…

IT WILL TAKE > 30 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > How to use Numbers to create a family budget YOU’LL NEED > Numbers, macOS 12 or later/iOS 15 or later Budgeting is always a good idea but it’s especially important during the current cost of living crisis. Prices are rising on a weekly basis in supermarkets and other shops. And while energy bills have stabilised, they represent a much higher proportion of our monthly expenditure than ever before. Creating a budget isn’t just about managing expenditure, however. It also enables us to plan for holidays and other large outgoings. And while there are a lots of specialist apps that will help you create and manage a budget, there’s also one that’s completely free to download and use, works on all…

IT WILL TAKE > 10 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > How to do more than simply purchase items on the Apple Store YOU’LL NEED > Apple Store app, iOS 15 or later Genius tip! To book a Genius Bar appointment, select Apple Support on a device page, tap an item, select an issue and look for the ‘Bring in for Repair’ option. You might not open the Apple Store app each day but there’s an argument for launching it more often. As well as letting you buy new Apple gear and keep track of your purchases, you can use it to create personalised items, organise returns and, by searching for ‘refurbished’, save money too. But it goes beyond that. Explore the app, and you can learn more about the devices…

Q I love Skyrim on my year-old M1 MacBook Pro, but I’m worried it might be wearing out its 1TB internal SSD, which is already down to 99% left. Should I install it on an external SSD? by RYAN SHARPE A Standard forecasts of the working life of SSDs are based on the limited number of times that each block of memory can be written to. When the remaining life of your Mac’s internal SSD falls much below 50%, then its failure becomes increasingly likely, although like all electronics there’s a remote chance that could happen at any time. In its first year, your Mac has only used 1% of its expected life. Even if it were to use twice that, you could expect it to be good for another…

There are few things more important T than a good night’s sleep, yet for so many of us, waking up refreshed can feel frustratingly out of reach. If you want to improve your slumber – or just understand it better – agood sleeptracking app can be a great companion. Pair it with an Apple Watch, which can track all manner of sleep-related stats and signs, and you can gain deep insights into what goes on after you drift off. But where should you start? Is it best to get a simple, toned-down app that just tracks the basics? Or is it preferable to opt for an all-singing, all-dancing app that logs your vital signs, records your snoring, and presents personalised tips based on its own machinelearning algorithm? In a field…

EXPECTED NOV 2023 UPDATED APR 2021 iMac From £1,249 Ever since the Bondi Blue iMac debuted in 1998, Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer has been setting standards for design and performance. The current 24in model is certainly Apple’s finest yet – thanks to its 4.5K (4480x2520) Retina display and the Apple-designed M1 chip, which is available with either an 8-core CPU/7-core GPU at the entry-level, or an 8-core CPU/8-core GPU on the mid-range and top-tier versions. All models come with 8GB of memory as standard (upgradeable to 16GB), with solid-state drive (SSD) storage ranging from 256GB on the entry-level and mid-range versions to 512GB on the top tier, although you can add more – up to 1TB on the entry-level and up to 2TB on the mid-range and top-tier models if…

Big changes could be coming to watchOS 10, which is due out this September. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch’s operating system is in line for “a fairly extensive upgrade, with notable changes to the user interface.” Gurman did not go into detail on what those changes will be, but it’s been a few years since the Watch’s software has been updated in a big way. Given the extensive hardware tweaks the Apple Watch got last year – including the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra – Apple may have decided that now is a good time to focus on its software.  It’s also worth noting that Gurman believes the Apple Watch will get another sizeable hardware update in 2024 with the introduction of a “larger, custombuilt…

Holding out hope for an OLED MacBook Pro? You might have a while to wait, as display industry expert Ross Young has stated it won’t launch until 2026. That could be a shade disappointing considering how many other OLED laptops are on the market.  Interestingly, the MacBook Air could get an OLED panel before the MacBook Pro. Numerous rumours have suggested the consumer laptop will get this tech in 2024 – potentially two years before the MacBook Pro. It could be that the MacBook Air will act as a dry run for the OLED MacBook Pro. Given that the latter is Apple’s flagship laptop, the company might want to iron out any kinks in the new panels before its pro device gets the go ahead. As well as that, Young…

For our latest subscription offer see page 34! Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly prominent topic in today’s technology landscape. With its ability to learn, adapt, and make decisions autonomously, AI has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of our lives. From business and healthcare to education and entertainment, AI is already playing a significant role in shaping the future. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of AI, its applications, and its potential impact on the world we live in. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious about the latest advancements in the field, this article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of AI and its potential to transform our lives. Confession: your author did not write the previous paragraph. Instead, it was generated, in mere…

IT WILL TAKE > 5 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > How to use Safari extensions for a better online experience YOU’LL NEED > Safari on iOS/ iPadOS 15 or later Genius tip! Sometimes ad blockers stop pages from working properly. To fix that, tap the jigsaw icon in Safari’s address bar and tap Turn off Content Blockers. There’s a pretty bad-tempered battle raging on the web, and it’s been raging for a long time. On one side there’s you and there’s us, ordinary Apple users who just want to get to content, services or shops with the minimum of fuss. And on the other there are the ad trackers, the bad website designers and the people who do their very best to hide what you’re looking for beneath 437 pop-ups,…

IT WILL TAKE > 10 minutes YOU WILL LEARN > How to try to switch off a little and meditate YOU’LL NEED > watchOS 8 or later When was the last time you took a time-out from the stresses and strains of everyday life? The Mindfulness app on your Apple Watch would like to help you do just that. It wants you to take a moment to pause and meditate, to focus on your breathing or just to think deeply about a single thing for as long as it takes to relax you. The Mindfulness app has been around for a long time – it debuted as the Breathe app in watchOS 3 – but the current version has more options, especially if you’re an Apple Fitness+ subscriber. That gives…

Spring has sprung and it’s that time of year when many of us start to think about summer and the great outdoors. Warmer weather, longer days and stunning scenery draw us from the confines of our homes into the fresh air. For some of us, that means time spent in the garden growing things or just enjoying the space. For others, it means hitting the road and exploring or even going on a new adventure to a far-flung land, or perhaps a not so far-flung land. Whatever your preference for spending time outside, there’s a gadget or 10 that will make the experience more fun, more relaxing, and safer, too. It may be a projector so you can create your own outdoor cinema in the garden, a robotic lawn mower…

£269.99 FROM uk.creative.com FEATURES Inputs – 1x USB-C, 1x mic, 1x RCA, 1x optical; Outputs – 1x 3.5mm, 1x 4.4mm, 1x RCA, 1x optical VERDICT Impressive connectivity makes the X5 the ideal audio upgrade for hi-fi buffs, podcasters and streamers. ★★★★★ + Multiple inputs and outputs + Strong sound quality + Competitive price - Overkill for most people’s needs There are several pocket-size portable DACs now available that are designed to provide high-quality audio for Macs and mobile devices, but Creative’s new Sound Blaster X5 is in a different league altogether. It can be used with mobile devices, but it’s primarily a desktop device for use with devices that are part of a wider home entertainment system, or for podcasters and streamers who need to set up a high-quality audio…

Apple Health is fine if you just want a fire-and-forget app, but it’s not enough if you’re serious about really analysing your sleep. NapBot, meanwhile, aims to make analysis simple, but is let down by its inaccurate measurements. SleepWatch dials up the data without smothering you, but its audio recording is lacklustre compared to its rivals. AutoSleep is full of insights, meanwhile, but it just doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot. Statistics buffs are sure to love it, but others might be put off by its steep learning curve and data deluge. That leaves Sleep Cycle and Pillow. The former looks great, is easy to use, and offers handy extras such as sleep aids. Plus, Sleep Cycle’s audio recording, tagging and analysis are second to none. Yet it can’t overcome…

£8.29 FROM moralanxietystudio.com NEEDS OS X 10.10 or later Roadwarden is the kind of pure role-playing game (RPG) experience you don’t see so much these days. There are no fancy 3D graphics and convoluted systems, but instead there’s a heavy focus on storytelling and decision-making. And it’s all the better for that. It may look simple on the surface, but this text-based adventure is deep and complex, with huge replay value and branching storylines. As a roadwarden, you travel the lonely trails of a wild and inhospitable peninsula as a representative of a far-off land, attempting to ward off dangers, broker agreements, and generally keep the peace among disparate and distrustful people. The game is deeply steeped in its own lore, history and culture, and playing for the first time…

Imminent it may be, but Apple’s upcoming VR I headset can’t arrive quickly enough for me. I was having a chat recently with a colleague who also works in the tech industry and we were trying to remember the last time we felt really excited about a new Apple product. Now, I’m an Apple fanboy at heart, so I get giddy when Apple releases a new, speed-bumped MacBook Pro (even if it looks exactly like the last one), but this workmate couldn’t remember a time that an Apple release genuinely excited him. While I don’t necessarily agree with him, he does have a point; Apple has stopped releasing groundbreaking products that disrupt the market, like they used to back in the Steve Jobs era. Every Apple press release used…