Category: Apple

Federico Viticci’s sweet iPad setup⇢

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Freddie V:

The iPad is, essentially, my primary work device. In the past year, I was forced for various reasons to use an iPad, and while I came across a lot of limitations for my workflow in the first weeks of extensive usage, I ended up loving the iPad as a work machine. I think that a lot of people have made up their minds about the iPad based on prejudices and won’t give the device a fair chance when it comes to using it for more than reading comics or watching Netflix on it.

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On the 2013 Mac Pro and the Power Mac G4 Cube

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Apple’s new Mac Pro looks like a stunning machine. Small and quiet, yet insanely powerful, the new computer makes every other desktop for sale today look and feel ancient. However, when I think about the new Mac Pro, I can’t help but think of one of my favorite Macs in recent history: the Power Mac G4 Cube.

This Cube happens to be mine. It’s a 450 Mhz entry-level model. The thing still boots. Introduced in 2000 as a more expensive (but less powerful) alternative to the Power Mac G4 towers on sale at the time, the Cube ultimately did not sell well and was discontinued less than two years after launch. I am not suggesting the new Mac Pro is doomed to share the Cube’s fate, but as an Apple nerd, I can’t help but be reminded of the only modern Macintosh that flopped when I see the new machine. Here are three parallels that came to mind.

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Apple ships 10.9.1⇢

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Apple:

  • Improved support for Gmail in OS X Mail, and fixes for users with custom Gmail settings
  • Improves the reliability of Smart Mailboxes and search in Mail
  • Fixes an issue that prevented contact groups from working properly in Mail
  • Resolves an issue that prevented VoiceOver from speaking sentences that contain emoji
  • Fixes an issue that prevented iLife and iWork apps from updating on non-English systems
  • Addresses an issue that may cause multiple prompts to unlock “Local items” keychain
  • Addresses an issue that may cause Japanese keyboards to retain a previously used language
  • Resolves issue that prevents a Contact group name from populating the address field
  • Includes Safari 7.0.1

There’s a separate build for users with MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Late 2013) machines. The 243 MB update can be found in the Mac App Store now.

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Tim Cook awarded lifetime achievement award from Auburn University⇢

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In his acceptance speech, Cook builds a case for human equality. Since seeing a burning cross in his Alabama hometown as a child, Cook says he has been aware of the struggle for equality for all. From raising the bar for workers in overseas factories to backing the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, Cook is putting his — and Apple’s — money where his mouth is. I think it’s great.

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On iCloud keyboard shortcut syncing - Updated

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With the future of TextExpander touch uncertain, I started to look into Apple’s own basic keyboard shortcut system built in to OS X and iOS. With Mavericks and iOS, these shortcuts can synced via iCloud’s vaguely-named “Documents & Data” feature.

While Apple’s tool doesn’t allow for the complexity that TextExpander offers, for simple stuff, I though it’d be fine.

Sadly, the feature is half-baked.

While shortcuts created on iOS sync to OS X, those created on Mavericks aren’t pushed back to mobile devices, as seen in these screenshots:

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