When you receive a new e-mail message on your iPhone or iPad, if your device is currently locked then the message will show up in Notification Center and display on your home screen. If you want to access your message directly, then instead of unlocking your device and going to Mail, you have several options available to you right on the home screen. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Force-quit processes to fix a hot Mac with blaring fans
Your MacBook has limited battery life, so what do you do when your system’s fans suddenly crank on at full tilt, and you notice that your system is getting hotter and hotter to the touch? Generally this happens when you are in the middle of your work where you have a number of programs and windows open. You may also see the battery life remaining on your system drop to an hour or two at most when you expected to have quite a few more. In addition to a hot system, you may also notice slowdowns with other tasks you attempt to perform, though this will depend on the task and might not always be the case. Continue reading
How to handle multiple disks simultaneously with Disk Utility
Regardless of the number of storage devices you have attached or built into your Mac, you will likely use Disk Utility for formatting them when necessary, to partition and resize them for various purposes, and otherwise managing them. However, one limitation you might find when using Disk Utility is that it will only act on one drive or volume at a time. Continue reading
How to check what kind of Mac you have
When Mac systems are discussed online, you will often see them mentioned by their common name, such as “Late 2012,” “Mid 2013,” or “Early 2013,” etc. These names suggest a model number, and sometimes are specific enough to identify your model in question; however, this is not the true model identifier of your Mac.
Along with the common model number, each Mac revision has a Model Identifier that is specific to the motherboard and Continue reading
Apple discontinuing support for AOL screen names on March 31
If you use an AOL username for purchases with the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store, then consider heeding warning messages in these apps for changing your login over to an Apple ID, as Apple will soon discontinue support for AOL accounts for its online services. Starting on March 31, 2015, Apple will no longer support the use of AOL Screen Names for these services, so you will not be able to log in and access content purchased under these usernames. Continue reading
Incorrect time on your Mac? Here’s how to fix that
The time that your Mac displays is not only for your convenience, but also a requirement for many of OS X’s services. This includes its ability to schedule tasks and notify you of calendar events, as well as time-stamp files and events, and properly communicate with online services using some forms of encryption. Therefore, if the clock on your Mac is off, then you might not only be late for a meeting, but might also not be able to send or receive messages and other Web content. Continue reading
Easy modifier keys for convenient Web browsing in OS X
When using most programs in OS X, you can hold various combinations of modifier keys (Shift, Command, and Option) when performing standard actions to invoke alternative functions. For instance, in most programs you can hold the Option key when clicking the red Close button to close all windows instead of only the foremost one. Continue reading
Apple offers repair and reimbursement program for 2011 MacBook Pro graphics issues
Following widespread complaints about graphics issues with some of its MacBook Pro systems manufactured in 2011, and a length of time with no official response to this issue, Apple has finally created a repair extension program for affected users. Not only does the program offer to repair affected systems, but will also issue refunds for those who have endured expenses for having their systems repaired. Continue reading
Fix your trackpad button suddenly being light to the touch
The multi-touch trackpad’s on your MacBook should have a substantial click sound to it, and require a notable press to activate. Granted many people will have differing touches, but in general you should be able to swipe around on your trackpad without activating the button on it. If this is not the case and your trackpad’s button does click inadvertently and quite frequently, then there may be some quick fixes you can try. Continue reading
How to magnify your iPad’s screen
Even though content on your iPad should be mostly legible, there are instances where a magnifying glass would be useful to see some nuance of your screen. If you own an iPad and find yourself sometimes squinting at your screen to see some minute set of text, or the details of an image, then there are several built-in tricks you can use to get a better view of what you are looking at. Continue reading